The government has suspended all organ transplant services, in particular kidney transplants, at the Mediheal Group of Hospitals with immediate effect.
This follows allegations of malpractice and breach of professional ethics in kidney transplant services at the hospital’s branch in Eldoret.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said Thursday that the decision followed credible concerns from the government as well as citizens regarding the facility’s adherence to required ethical transplant procedures.
To that effect, Duale has appointed an independent expert committee of transplant experts, drawn from public and private health facilities, professional associations, and relevant regulatory bodies, to undertake a comprehensive audit of all kidney transplant services at the said group of hospitals for the past five years.
“The committee will focus on governance, clinical practices, ethical compliance, and patient safety protocols and will be expected to submit a report within 90 days from the date of appointment,” Duale said.
According to the CS, the action had been necessitated by the fact that the report of the December 2023 probe team was neither formally submitted to the ministry nor unanimously endorsed by the members of the then committee.
“I also want to redirect all patients currently receiving or seeking transplant-related services at Mediheal to seek care at licensed kidney transplant facilities,” he said.
Such licenced facilities include Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital, M.P. Shah Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital-Eldoret, Nairobi West Hospital, and Mater Hospital.
At the same time, the CS has suspended two senior Ministry of Health officers to protect the integrity of the ongoing process.
“I have directed the immediate suspension of Dr. Maurice Wakwabubi, the acting head of Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Services (KBTTS), and Dr. Everlyne Chege, the technical lead who chaired the ministry’s multidisciplinary probe in December 2023,” he said.
“This is to eliminate any potential conflict of interest and to ensure that further investigations proceed independently and objectively in accordance with relevant laws.”
Meanwhile, Senior Deputy Director of Medical Services Dr. Martin Sirengo has been appointed to take charge of KBTTS in the interim period.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has also been directed to suspend, forthwith, the issuance of new licenses for foreign medical practitioners in Kenya, except those from the East African Community member states, until the existing standards and guidelines are reviewed to conform with international best practices.
“KMPDC should carry out an audit of all licensed foreign medical practitioners in the country and submit a report to my office within 90 days,” Duale said.
The CS reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights, safety, and dignity of patients and to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and accountability in all aspects of health care delivery.
In December 2023, the Ministry of Health constituted a multidisciplinary fact-finding mission to investigate concerns of malpractice and ethical breaches at Mediheal Hospital, Eldoret.
The report produced then by the team was not signed because of dissenting opinions of some team members on the recommendations and was not submitted to the Ministry of Health for further action.
Mediheal Hospital Group started its operations in Kenya with one hospital 14 years ago and has expanded to 10 locations reeled with allegations of organ trafficking and unethical practices.
By Wangari Ndirangu
