The Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) rejected reports Wednesday that a patient’s kidney was stolen while he was being treated at a hospital in Taif.

Authorities at the general hospital in Afeef were alleged to have removed the kidney of Gazi Al-Otaibi, who was hospitalized for treatment due to contact with an electrical unit. Al-Otaibi suffered severe laceration in the intra-abdominal organs, bleeding and excess fluids. Surgical intervention was necessary to save the patient’s life.

The alleged removal of his kidney was discovered when Al-Otaibi was admitted for surgery following a recent road accident.

Faisal bin Abdul Rahim Shaheen, director general of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT), described the allegations as baseless. He said that such operations could not be performed so easily without qualified doctors who have to take permission from the organization.

“Kidney harvests and transplantations are handled by nephrologists who coordinate such surgeries through the SCOT or its 16 branches spread throughout the Kingdom,” he said.

He added that harvested kidneys should be stored with preservation solutions and be transplanted within 24 hours to a patient who is compatible with the donor and who is on the list for kidney transplant.

SCOT maintains a national register for prospective kidney donors and their recipients, who have reached end stage of renal disease (ESRD).

Shaheen warned that anyone who tries to harvest or transplant human organs without proper coordination with the SCOT is liable for punishment under the Kingdom's criminal laws.

Abdullah Al-Hofaily, director of public relations at the Riyadh Health Directorate, said the patient was admitted to hospital due to a road accident, which resulted in severe bleeding in his abdomen. According to clinical reports based on X-rays taken, he had both his kidneys and his spleen. Responding to media claims, Al-Hofaily said the ministry promptly appointed a special team to investigate the matter and found that the allegations were baseless.