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In a major controversy surrounding Bengaluru’s HCG Cancer Hospital, serious allegations have surfaced regarding unethical clinical trials allegedly conducted on poor cancer patients. Retired Justice P. Krishna Bhat, former Chairman of the hospital’s Ethics Committee, has accused the hospital of violating clinical trial norms and exploiting vulnerable patients for financial gain.
Also Read:Bengaluru: HCG cancer hospital to face probe today over alleged illegal clinical trials
According to a detailed letter submitted by Justice Bhat, HCG allegedly targeted economically disadvantaged cancer patients for experimental treatments without ensuring proper consent or safeguards. He claimed that the hospital conducted numerous trials on poor individuals who could not afford cancer treatment, risking their lives in the process. He further alleged that the hospital used internal WhatsApp groups to reach out to such patients and lure them into participating in clinical trials, suggesting a lack of ethical oversight.
Bhat also linked these alleged unethical practices to his resignation, saying that violations of protocol and management interference led him to step down as Ethics Committee Chairman.
In response, Dr. BS Ajai Kumar, Founder and Chairman of HCG Hospital, categorically denied all accusations in an exclusive interview with NewsFirst Prime. He asserted that no illegal or unethical trials were conducted at HCG and that all clinical procedures followed the protocols mandated by national guidelines.
Dr. Kumar strongly refuted the claims that trials were selectively conducted on poor patients. “We do not ask or classify patients based on financial background,” he said. Regarding the claims of patient harm during trials, he maintained that “no lives were lost due to any clinical trial at our hospital.”
He also distanced the institution from the viral WhatsApp chats, saying they appeared to be personal in nature and unrelated to HCG’s official operations. On the matter of Justice Bhat’s resignation, Dr. Kumar stated that it coincided with a routine management restructuring process and was not triggered by any malpractice.
