Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on April 25 inaugurated a 13-member special committee tasked with investigating the state of organ transplant services in Kenya.
The Independent Investigative Committee on Tissue and Organ Transplant Services, officially gazetted on April 23, has been formed in response to public concern following media reports of alleged malpractice and ethical violations in transplant procedures.
The committee, chaired by Prof Elizabeth Bukusi, has been established in response to public concern over serious allegations of malpractice and ethical violations in organ transplant procedures at Mediheal Group of Hospitals.
“This is a moment of reckoning. We are not just conducting an investigation—we are restoring public trust in the health system. We will not tolerate impunity or protect any wrongdoing,” said Duale.
The CS called on the committee to uphold integrity, transparency, discretion, and professionalism.
Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga urged the committee to carry out its work objectively and submit a report that will help streamline clinical workflows across all health facilities in Kenya.
Reaffirming the Ministry’s full support, Duale reminded the committee to deliver a comprehensive report by July 22.
“We will act decisively, transparently, and in the best interest of the people of Kenya,” Duale said.
Duale was accompanied by Dr Oluga, PS Medical Services; Mary Muthoni, PS Public Health and Professional Standards; and Director General for Health, Dr Patrick Amoth.
The secretariat comprises Stella Kanja, Rueben Tulei, and Jedidah Effie Oduor.
The committee will seek to establish the existing legal and regulatory framework governing the tissue and organ transplant services in Kenya.
It will also conduct an in-depth independent investigation
into any non-compliant tissue and organ transplant services within health
facilities in Kenya, including in the Mediheal Group of Hospitals.
It will also review the existing policy, legal and
institutional framework, standards, guidelines, and protocols that govern organ
and tissue transplant services in Kenya and identify any existing gaps in the
framework.
It will further evaluate governance and operating
procedures, including transplant protocols, ethics reviews, and post-transplant
monitoring, and identify any existing weaknesses and gaps.
The team will investigate and establish Mediheal’s adherence to the existing policy and legal framework, including standards, guidelines, and protocols on transplant services.
The probe follows an investigative report which alleged that Mediheal Group of Hospitals is involved in a global organ trafficking syndicate.
However, the hospital’s Group Vice President in charge of operations, Maryline Limo, denied the claims, insisting that they follow all legal and ethical guidelines, as per industry standards, which prohibit the commercial sale of organs.
And on Wednesday, Mediheal founder Swarup Mishra said allegations against his facilities are false and baseless.
“These claims are entirely unfounded and are not supported by any credible evidence. We remain committed to delivering ethical, safe, and world-class healthcare to our patients and reaffirm our unwavering dedication to medical integrity,” he stated.
