Organ transplant body head resigns as fraud in US unearthed

ISLAMABAD: Head of Pakistan’s premier organ transplant institute resigned after he was asked to explain allegations that he fled America after the US Justice Department charged him with second biggest fraud in the country’s medical history.

Dr Ishtiaq Malik was picked by the federal government to lead the Human Organ Transplant Authority (HOTA) allegedly without fulfilling the criteria, official documents revealed.

An official of the concerned ministry, however told The News, “The ministry was not aware about the said allegations against Dr Malik, who kept these facts secret. After learning through media the ministry immediately sought explanation from Mr Malik on this serious issue. In response to it, he submitted his resignation which was immediately accepted on April 27.”  

On not fulfilling the requisite criteria required for the top post (Administrator) of HOTA, the ministry official further responded, “Dr. Malik fulfilled the requisite criteria for the post of Administrator (HOTA). The appointment of Administrator HOTA was made through open competition in a highly transparent manner, based strictly on merit. The appointment was made after approval by a high powered monitoring authority having top medical professionals in the relevant fields as its members."       

The physician had to leave the United States soon after a US court imposed fine worth $17 million on him and his two companies for submitting false nuclear cardiology claims to federal and state healthcare programmes of President Obama in 2013.

The US Justice Department confirmed it to Geo TV as saying that “this doctor [Dr Ishtiaq A Malik] fraudulently diverted critical resources from government healthcare programmes, contributing to the rising cost of healthcare for all Americans. This lawsuit was designed to hold the doctor to account for bilking the taxpayer,” said Ronald C Machen Jr, US Attorney for the District of Columbia.

Dr Ishtiaq Malik was appointed as Administrator (MP-II), HOTA under Ministry of National Health Service Regulation and Coordination (MNHSRC), on contract basis for a period of two years with immediate effect and until further order on February 23, 2017.

The MNHSRC in its advertisement categorically mentioned that a person dismissed from services, convicted by any court, did fraud and holds nationality other than Pakistan will not eligible for this post. But interestingly Dr Malik did not meet these criteria but the government did not properly investigate his profile before hiring his services. “The case was resolved as per the judgment. The Justice Department does not have any information to release on the current whereabouts of Dr Malik,” says Nicole A Navas, Spokesperson/Public Affairs Specialist, US Department of Justice.

“Dr Malik fraudulently charged for his services and taxpayers deserve protection from such scams,” said Daniel R Levinson, Inspector General of the US Department of Health and Human Services. “OIG agents, working with other law enforcement agencies, conducted interviews, gathered records and analysed data to conclude a successful investigation and bring the doctor to justice.” 

Dr Malik confirmed the story of fraud as saying, “The case was filed against him and his companies in America and he would be paying the fine by 2019.”  In response to questions pertaining to Dr Ishtiaq's fraud, dual nationality, etc, the concerned ministry sought explanation from Dr Malik. In response to it, he submitted his resignation this week.