Public inquiry begins into Mediheal organ trafficking allegations
The investigation comes amid alarming allegations that Mediheal has been removing kidneys from vulnerable Kenyans for Sh294,000 and selling them abroad for as much as Sh3.2 million.
Investigations into alleged illegal organ transplants and trafficking at Mediheal Group of Hospitals begin on Thursday, as a parliamentary committee opens a 90-day public inquiry into claims of malpractice and ethical breaches in kidney transplant services at the facility.
The probe is being led by the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Health following a government decision to establish a 13-member team to investigate allegations of illegal transplants and organ trafficking.
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The move follows a recent exposé by international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), which raised serious concerns about activities at Mediheal.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale formed the committee to look into the claims.
The team is led by Prof Elizabeth Bukusi and is expected to carry out a thorough examination of compliance with legal and ethical standards across all health facilities offering transplant services in Kenya.
The task force has been assigned several responsibilities.
These include investigating the legal and regulatory framework governing tissue and organ transplants, checking compliance in all relevant facilities, and specifically probing Mediheal Hospital’s practices to determine whether it followed required ethical and legal protocols.
The committee will also engage with kidney donors, recipients, and medical professionals who have been involved in transplants over the past five years.
One of its key roles will be to establish whether there were any cases of commercialisation, coercion, or violations of the Human Tissue Act.
The investigation comes amid alarming allegations that Mediheal has been removing kidneys from vulnerable Kenyans for Sh294,000 and selling them abroad for as much as Sh3.2 million.
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