Mediheal organ trafficking allegations have been firmly dismissed by the hospital’s founder, Dr. Swarup Mishra, who broke his silence this week amid increased scrutiny of the private hospital’s transplant program.
Speaking during a press briefing, Dr. Mishra called the organ trafficking allegations baseless and politically charged.
“We are not involved in any trafficking, syndicate, or criminal enterprise related to kidney transplants,” he stated. He also announced plans to conduct a second independent audit to clear Mediheal’s name.
The hospital’s lawyer, Katwa Kigen, supported Dr. Mishra’s claims, asserting that Mediheal Group of Hospitals has consistently followed legal and medical procedures. “All that Mediheal does is to provide medical services,” he emphasized.
According to Mediheal, over the past seven years, it has performed 476 kidney transplants, including 105 for foreign nationals.
It denied findings from a 2023 investigative report, which highlighted irregularities in language translation for donor consent documents—an issue now at the center of the Mediheal organ trafficking allegations.
“We ensured that donors fully understood legal provisions and could withdraw consent at any point,” said Kigen.
Dr. Mishra added that Mediheal uses advanced genetic testing to ensure compatibility between donors and recipients.
“We conducted level four cross-matching, HLA matching, and gene-to-gene mapping. Reaction is zero,” he explained.
In response to claims that donors were paid for their organs, Mediheal maintained that there were no financial incentives provided. Instead, the hospital said it charges recipients between Ksh.3.2 million and Ksh.4.5 million, with donors receiving no monetary compensation.
“No complications have been reported by donors or recipients,” Kigen reiterated.
Despite the denials, Health CS Aden Duale has committed to further investigations into the case, calling for transparency and accountability in light of public concern from Uasin Gishu residents.
As the Mediheal organ trafficking allegations continue to unfold, the hospital insists on its innocence, preparing for what could become a prolonged legal battle.
