Mediheal Hospital has defended its kidney transplant procedures, asserting compliance with Kenya’s health regulations amid an ongoing investigation into alleged illegal organ transplants at the facility.
In a statement issued by Deputy Operations Manager Dancel Njoroge, the hospital dismissed claims of non-compliance, emphasizing that all procedures were conducted in line with Section 80 of the Health Act, 2017. The Act stipulates strict ethical and medical standards for organ transplants, including donor consent and medical oversight.
“Mediheal has always adhered to ethical and professional guidelines in the conduct of kidney transplants,” said Njoroge. “To the best of our knowledge, there have been no complications on the transplants conducted, aside from typical medical risks associated with such procedures.”
Since launching its transplant program in November 2018, Mediheal reports having conducted 476 kidney transplants 372 in Kenya and 104 in ten other countries. The hospital acknowledged 10 recipient mortalities over the seven-year period but stressed that there were no fatalities or complications among donors.
The hospital further clarified that it does not engage in organ trafficking and that any funds collected were strictly for medical services. These include professional fees, surgical disposables, pharmaceuticals, ICU charges, and related hospital costs.
Responding to concerns over foreign patients, Mediheal stated that all international recipients had the necessary medical visas, and procedures involving them were legally and ethically cleared.
The hospital also noted that its transplant procedures have undergone numerous reviews and evaluations by medical authorities both locally and internationally, without any objections raised.
Meanwhile, a team investigating the trafficking allegations has been dispatched to several counties to gather information. Their findings will be submitted to an Independent Investigative Committee established to handle the case.
As scrutiny mounts, Mediheal has reiterated its commitment to upholding medical integrity and ensuring that all procedures meet the highest standards of care.
The outcome of the ongoing probe is expected to shape future regulatory oversight in Kenya’s organ transplant sector, where ethical concerns continue to gain national attention.
