Duale suspends kidney transplant services at Mediheal Hospital

Health CS Aden Duale has ordered the immediate suspension of all kidney transplant services at Mediheal Group of Hospitals following allegations of malpractice and ethical violations.

Speaking at Afya House on Thursday, Duale said the decision was prompted by complaints surrounding transplant procedures at Mediheal’s Eldoret branch.

Duale also announced the formation of an Independent Expert Committee to audit Mediheal’s kidney transplant operations over the past five years.

The committee will review governance structures, clinical practices, ethical compliance, and patient safety protocols, and is expected to submit its report within 90 days.

The CS further suspended Dr Maurice Wakwabubi, the acting head of the Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Services (KBTTS), and Dr Everlyne Chege, who chaired a prior internal investigation into the matter in December 2023.

In the interim, Dr Martin Sirengo will serve as the head of KBTTS.

Additionally, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) been directed to stop licensing new foreign doctors, except those from East African Community member states. The council will also audit all currently licensed foreign practitioners and report back within 90 days.

Patients seeking transplant care previously offered at Mediheal have been advised to seek services at alternative accredited hospitals, including Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital, M.P. Shah Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, Nairobi West Hospital, Mater Hospital, and St. Luke’s Hospital in Eldoret.

Duale reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring ethical conduct and accountability in the sector, adding that the interventions were necessary to uphold patient rights and restore trust in the health system.