Mediheal Hospital Rejects Claims of Involvement in Illegal Kidney Transplants
Mishra admitted that one patient tragically died due to an adverse reaction to anesthesia, clarifying that, like any surgery, outcomes are not guaranteed.
Mediheal Hospital Eldoret, home to one of Africa’s most advanced renal transplant units, now at the center of a high-profile investigation into organ transplant practices
Mediheal Hospital has categorically denied allegations of involvement in an illegal global kidney transplant syndicate, asserting its strict adherence to legal and medical protocols.
During a press briefing, the hospital’s legal counsel, Katwa Kigen, reiterated Mediheal’s commitment to ethical medical practices, affirming their readiness to cooperate fully with ongoing investigations led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ministry of Interior.
Kigen noted that both kidney donors and recipients undergo rigorous medical evaluations at the facility to ensure compatibility and procedural safety. Defending the hospital’s reputation, he revealed that Mediheal has successfully conducted over 400 kidney transplants since 2018. These procedures, he stated, cost approximately USD 35,000 for international patients and USD 25,000 for Kenyan citizens.
Hospital Director Dr. Swarup Mishra supported this position, comparing kidney donation to blood donation in terms of its life-saving potential. He acknowledged the inherent medical risks involved, including a fatal incident where a patient suffered an adverse reaction to anesthesia. “Surgical procedures are never without risk,” Mishra stated, while emphasizing the many patients who have regained their health thanks to transplants performed at Mediheal.
Despite these affirmations, the allegations have fueled public concern, with reports from some individuals claiming they were pressured into selling their kidneys. In response, the Kenya Renal Association has called for the suspension of Mediheal Hospital’s operating licenses, citing reports of “transplant commercialization and transplant tourism.” The association warned that such practices contravene international standards, including World Health Organization guidelines, the Declaration of Istanbul, and Kenya’s Health Act 01 of 2017.
Mediheal’s management, however, remains confident in the integrity of its services and has urged the media to report responsibly to avoid unjustly damaging its reputation. The hospital continues to promote itself as a leader in Kenya’s healthcare sector, committed to saving lives through advanced and ethical medical procedures, as the investigations unfold.
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