Health CS Aden Duale. Photo | courtesy.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, has ordered the immediate suspension of all kidney transplant procedures at Mediheal Group of Hospitals, following serious allegations of malpractice and ethical violations at the hospital’s Eldoret branch.
Speaking during a press briefing at Afya House, Duale said the drastic move was necessitated by preliminary findings from the Ministry’s internal probe, detailed in an earlier statement dated April 15.
He supported the Ministry’s resolve to safeguard patient safety and restore public confidence in Kenya’s health system.
“To ensure a thorough and independent review, we have appointed an Independent Expert Committee to conduct a full audit of kidney transplant services offered by Mediheal over the past five years,” the CS said.
“The committee will examine governance, clinical practices, ethical standards, and patient safety protocols,” he added.
READ: MOH Probes Mediheal Hospital Over Organ Trafficking Allegations
The committee is expected to submit its findings within 90 days.
In a bid to preserve the integrity of the investigation, CS Duale also announced the suspension of two top Ministry officials,Dr. Maurice Wakwabubi, Acting Head of the Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Services (KBTTS), and Dr. Everlyne Chege, who chaired the Ministry’s initial multidisciplinary probe in December 2023.
Senior Deputy Director of Medical Services, Dr. Martin Sirengo, will take over the reins at KBTTS in the interim.
In addition to the Mediheal specific measures, the Ministry has moved to tighten oversight on foreign medical professionals.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has been instructed to suspend the licensing of all new foreign medical practitioners, except those from East African Community (EAC) member states.
KMPDC has also been directed to audit all currently licensed foreign doctors in Kenya and submit a detailed report within 90 days.
Patients seeking or undergoing transplant related care at Mediheal have been advised to access alternative services at eight licensed facilities, 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.
“These interventions are necessary and urgent. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, and accountability in healthcare,” said Duale.
