Mediheal Hospital has firmly defended its kidney transplant procedures as ethical and legal amid growing scrutiny over alleged organ trafficking. The institution, which began conducting transplants following Ministry of Health approval in 2018, emphasized that it has never engaged in organ trafficking, malpractice, or commercialisation of body organs.
According to the hospital, a total of 476 kidney transplants have been performed to date 372 of them on Kenyan nationals. The remaining cases involved patients from diverse countries including Uganda, Israel, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Burundi, the DRC, the USA, Oman, and Germany. The hospital maintains that all procedures involved pre-arranged donor-recipient pairs who came to the facility with mutual consent and understanding.
The hospital clarified that it does not participate in pairing donors with recipients, asserting that both parties always arrive as a known pair. Documentation such as affidavits is used to confirm the voluntary nature of the donation, with some supported by additional legal documentation from donors’ countries of origin.
Mediheal has highlighted its adherence to Section 80 of the Health Act, 2017, which stipulates that organ donations must be entirely voluntary and free from coercion. The hospital emphasized that its processes are rooted in compliance with these legal provisions and subject to both internal and external ethical reviews.
Further strengthening its defense, the hospital pointed to its technological investment, including the use of advanced fourth-generation organ-matching systems and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. These innovations are said to reduce patient recovery time, improve outcomes, and lower surgical risk. The institution also boasts a high-end Renal Intensive Care Unit, designed for post-operative care with modern tools and trained personnel.
Clinical results shared by the hospital indicate a 98% patient survival rate at 30 days post-operation, and a 93% survival rate at five years. Graft survival was reported at 95.8%, with just eight recorded cases of acute rejection over a five-year period. Readmission rates reportedly remain below 2%, underscoring the quality of ongoing care.
On financial matters, Mediheal stressed that transplant charges are restricted to medical services, with no profits made beyond standard costs. The average fee is approximately USD 25,000 for regional patients and USD 35,000 for others significantly lower than global rates that can reach up to USD 150,000. All payments, the hospital insists, cover only professional care, medication, surgical tools, and ICU usage.
The hospital’s practices have been audited by the Ministry of Health and reviewed by parliamentary oversight bodies. It has also presented findings at international medical forums. As Kenya debates reforms to tighten organ transplant regulations, Mediheal has pledged full cooperation, framing itself as both a medical innovator and a transparent player in the country’s growing medical tourism landscape.
