Ahmedabad: The state-run medical institution in Gujarat reportedly conducted unauthorised stem cell therapy clinical trials on 2,352 patients, and 91 per cent of cases turned out a failure, killing 741 patients. The data is based on a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India on clinical trials conducted by the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC) between 1999 and 2017 in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state.
In addition to unauthorised drug trials, the medical institution under the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation embezzled money through trials, Mathrubhumi reported.
The state's Congress party quoted the report to highlight that the clinical trials were conducted without the approval of the Institution Committee for Stem Cell Research and Therapy.
Gujarat Congress spokesperson Parthivrajsinh Kathavadia told reporters that the CAF report states that stem cell therapy failed in 91 per cent of cases, with 2,132 out of 2,352 patients experiencing unsuccessful outcomes. Kidney transplants failed in 569 patients, and complications in 110 patients prevented kidney transplants, he said.
He continued that Congress demands stringent action against all who were behind the unauthorised experiments carried out on innocent patients.
"Unauthorised experiments were carried out on innocent patients. Who will be held accountable for the loss of those lives? The Congress demands that stringent action must be taken against all individuals responsible for the lapse," Times of India quoted the leader.
Following reports of unauthorised stem cell therapy trials at the hospital, the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation recently directed the State Health Department’s additional director to provide details of the actions taken, Mathrubhumi reported.