Fresh Mediheal probe commissioned by Duale following initial report's mistake
In a recent development, the Ministry of Health in Kenya has suspended all kidney transplant services at the Mediheal Group of Hospitals, effective April 17, 2025. This decision comes following a series of investigations and reports that have raised concerns about ethical breaches and patient safety.
The current investigation stems from an audit conducted by an independent expert committee, which was formed to scrutinise kidney transplant services at Mediheal over the past five years, with a focus on clinical standards, ethics, and governance. The report from this audit, delivered on July 22, 2025, contains comprehensive findings aimed at strengthening regulatory frameworks and preventing malpractice in transplant services.
Prior to this audit, a 2023 probe by a multidisciplinary team had flagged irregularities in Mediheal's transplant procedures. This probe, however, was not officially submitted to the Ministry of Health. The suspension aims to restore public trust and dismantle perceived cartel-like operations in the health sector.
The suspension of the officials is to ensure further investigations proceed independently and objectively. Two senior ministry officials, Dr Maurice Wakwabubi and Dr Evelynn Chege, were suspended in response to the investigation. The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council was also ordered to audit all currently licensed foreign practitioners within 90 days.
The report from the audit has not been made publicly available, but it is known that it addresses several issues, including commercialization of organs, lack of governance, and transplant tourism. Concerns about organ commercialization were raised, with a higher percentage of donors potentially receiving cash for donations compared to other hospitals. The hospital's ethics committees ceased to exist in 2022, and there were issues with expired staff licenses and incomplete documentation. Mediheal was noted to serve a higher proportion of foreign patients, suggesting it operates as a destination for transplant tourism.
Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, has assured that the recommendations from the report will be implemented fully, including reforms in ethical and moral oversight for kidney transplant services in Kenya. However, he has distanced himself from an earlier report, stating it was compromised, unsigned, and never officially received by the ministry.
The fate of patients possibly exploited in the process is uncertain. All eyes are now on what action the Health Cabinet Secretary will take next. The office of the Health Cabinet Secretary exists in perpetuity and must respond to institutional accountability, according to James Nyikal, committee chair.
[1] Ministry of Health Suspends Kidney Transplant Services at Mediheal Group of Hospitals. (2025, April 18). The Star. Retrieved from https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2025-04-18-ministry-of-health-suspends-kidney-transplant-services-at-mediheal-group-of-hospitals/
[2] Mediheal's Kidney Transplant Services Under Scrutiny. (2023, July 1). The Standard. Retrieved from https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001356110/mediheals-kidney-transplant-services-under-scrutiny
[3] Duale Assures Action on Mediheal Report. (2025, July 25). The Nation. Retrieved from https://www.nation.co.ke/news/duale-assures-action-on-mediheal-report/
[4] Mediheal Kidney Transplant Probe Report Never Submitted to Ministry. (2025, April 20). Daily Nation. Retrieved from https://www.nation.co.ke/news/mediheal-kidney-transplant-probe-report-never-submitted-to-ministry/
- The suspension of kidney transplant services at the Mediheal Group of Hospitals has highlighted concerns about ethical breaches and patient safety in the health sector, prompting demands for reforms in ethical and moral oversight for such procedures.
- The recent investigations into Mediheal's kidney transplant services have revealed potential issues such as commercialization of organs, lack of governance, and transplant tourism, contributing to calls for strengthening regulatory frameworks and preventing malpractice in transplant services.
- The health-and-wellness industry, including therapies-and-treatments for chronic diseases like chronic-kidney-disease, is under scrutiny in light of the unfolding events at Mediheal, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high ethical standards and transparency in medical-conditions treatment.
- As concerns about organ commercialization and unethical practices continue to surface in the discussion surrounding the Mediheal kidney transplant controversy, it serves as a call to action for policymakers and authorities to enact stricter regulations on epapers reporting on sensitive health issues to uphold accuracy, credibility, and public interest.
