Dead patients’ organs allegedly sold for profit in Russian hospital

Authorities in Saint Petersburg have uncovered a scheme involving the illegal sale of organs and tissues from deceased patients, leading to the detention of the head of a hospital pathology department and the founder of a private medical company, the regional Investigative Committee of Russia reported.

The case centers on Alexandrovskaya Hospital, where investigators say a representative of a private company colluded with the hospital morgue chief. The doctor allegedly received at least 500,000 rubles ($6,000) per month in exchange for supplying organs and tissues from deceased patients.

“The biological materials were subsequently transferred to various commercial organizations and used as experimental samples in cosmetology, surgery, and dentistry. Most frequently, these were bodies of individuals who led antisocial lifestyles and had no relatives,” the regional Ministry of Internal Affairs stated.

According to the Telegram channel 112, for deceased patients who had relatives, hospital staff reportedly substituted other bodies. Several criminal cases have now been opened in connection with the scheme, and both the pathology department head and the private company representative remain in custody.

By Vafa Guliyeva