Fact Check: Viral message about four kidney donations is fake
A message claiming that four kidneys are available for donation is going viral on social media. It claims that two people were killed in an accident and were declared brain dead and their kidneys are now being donated.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 26 Jan 2022 9:07 AM IST
Hyderabad: A message claiming that four kidneys are available for donation is going viral on social media. It claims that two people were killed in an accident and were declared brain dead and their kidneys are now being donated.
A phone number is also provided.
The message reads: "Dear all, Important, 4 kidneys available. Due to death of our friend Mr Sudhir and his wife (my service colleagues) who met with an accident yesterday, doctor has declared them brain dead. Mr Sudhir is B+ and his wife O+. His family wants to donate their kidneys for humanity. Please circulate. Contact 9837285283 (sic)."
Fact Check:
The claim is false.
NewsMeter did a Google search with relevant keywords and found the same message on the website 'YourQuote' published on 2 May 2018.
The same message with the same contact number was also posted on Facebook and Twitter four years ago in October 2017. It was also viral in 2020 and 2021.
Further, NewsMeter contacted the number provided on the viral message and received a reply saying, "Post related to kidney donors is fake and not correct, so do not circulate and forward."
Also, the phone number belongs to Dr. Sandeep Garg, a nephrologist from Meerut, according to SM Hawks Slayer.
The Times of India had earlier reported that one cannot advertise or solicit organ donation in this manner as it is illegal as per the Human Organ Transplant Act 1994. It had said that if one wishes to donate, the treating doctor has to be informed. In the event of suspected brain death of a patient, the hospital must get its panel to examine and verify brain death. Only then can the issue of organ donation be pursued. Advertising for the sale of organs is prohibited and is considered a criminal offense.
We also found reports by The Hindu and Telangana Today that said the message is fake and has been circulating for a very long time.
Hence, the claim is false. It is clear that the message about kidney donation is old and fake.
