We all know that in the present modern era, social media is playing a major role in our day-to-day life. It helps us in advancing our life. But to our disappointment, it is sometimes harmful. Recently one such incident which is registered as cyber crime took place. A medical crime occurred due to the social media. Some rackets which are selling kidneys busted at notable hospitals in India like Mumbai, Akola, Gurgaon and Gujarat.
A Facebook page named “I want to sell my kidney” went viral. The state human organ transplant unit reported against this.
Gauri Rathod, State human organ transplant unit head and assistant director (health services) said,
“When we came across the pages, the initial impression was of people trying to play mischief, nevertheless, it cannot be ignored as it involves a sensitive topic like kidney and its donation. It is also clear that many people were posting such messages out of very little awareness about organ donation. Besides, we also came across people luring donors into a scam by showing them huge money.”
Rathod observed that people responded to this on social media. People are driven towards this due to the financial needs. He stated this as an illegal act, a violation of which could land the gullible in prison.
“While we are still reeling from the recent bust, this is yet another major scam. Social media is quite powerful and it can be misused like this. To further control such illegal activities, we will write a letter to the police’s cyber-crime branch as they should be aware how social media is being used for vile acts,” she said. “In fact, they should have been the first to have informed us about this activity and verify the facts. However, we will coordinate with them now to get to the root of this ‘misuse’. Offenders must be taught a lesson.”, he further added.
One of the senior officials in the state health department, requesting anonymity, said,
“It is nothing short of alarming to see people using such sites to sell off their organs. It is equally sad to see certain hospitals promoting this. Following the recent countrywide busts, we have now been discussing raiding hospitals and paying surprise visits to cross-check and verify the documents the surgeons possess. They charge around Rs 25-50 lakh for every transplant, so they can certainly verify the documents as well rather than blame the investigating authorities. Hospitals now have to come clean.”
This issue was taken up to the level of chief minister. Principal secretary Pravinsinh Pardeshi said,
“We will take this up in the department, where the involvement of the cybercrime cell too can be discussed to nip scams on social media.”
The Chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis responded to this and said,
“We will take strict action against such offenders and violators.”
According to one more source from the CM’s office,
“Since there is no helpline to clear issues and discuss lacunae of the law, we are thinking of coming up with a helpline where only doctors and kidney donors can be connected rather than people who run illegal activities and lure hospitals and donors into business. There are many who can afford the transplant and are rich but most of the times fly to Sri Lanka and other countries with their Indian doctors. Kidney or organ transplant can be made transparent if the law and implementing authorities focus on stopping commercialisation and being more vigilant than only looking for registrations or waiting lists.”
Deputy commissioner of Police, economic offences wing and cyber-crime cell Pune, DK Sakore said,
“We will appeal to all the citizens to notify us on dcpcyber.pune@nic.in if they come across any such incriminating page or comment on kidney or selling of any organ so that further investigations can be ordered. However, it is not easy to find offenders promoting selling of organs on social media, but it can be done with better software and technical teams.”