NKTI exec demands apology from CNN over report on kidney sale

An official of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) has demanded an apology and correction from American news channel CNN for what he believes to be a wrong report about the Philippines’ kidney donation program.

According to Dr. Reynaldo Lesaca, head of NKTI’s Human Organ Preservation Effort, CNN “edited” their interview with him and came out with a special report that was totally different from what he talked about.

In a letter to CNN anchor Hugh Riminton, Lesaca said: “I am upset at the way your special feature was presented last Tuesday (Nov. 6) on CNN Cable TV. You owe me an apology and I hope you correct the story.”

The report made it appear that the Philippine government is now legitimizing commercial kidney donation and had Lesaca as its resource person.

Lesaca said it “not only put me in a bad light but placed our country’s Transplant Program in jeopardy as far as the world is concerned.”

“The lengthy interview I had with you dealt with various issues on organ donation and transplantation in the Philippines but the segment portrayed was about ‘exporting organs’ and showed portion of the interview spliced with an expose on ‘paid donors.’ I never suggested or insinuated the ‘export of kidneys’ nor is it or will be a policy of our government to do so. Blatant abuses are being addressed accordingly,” Lesaca said.

Lesaca told The STAR that his interview was taken out of context to serve CNN’s “agenda.”

“Besides, it is a government policy under the Manual of Operations of Philippine Organ Donation Program which prohibits the commercialization of organs. As a medical practitioner, I do not enact laws. As I pointed out in the interview, the Philippines has a law against organ trafficking and I uphold it,” he said.

He added that the Philippine government has been reviewing its policy on organ donation to ensure that the practice is regulated and the donors are protected.