Mediheal Hospital responds to organ trafficking allegations
The report named Mediheal Hospital as a major center for transplant surgeries, claiming that recipients paid up to $200,000 (Ksh 25.9 million) for a single kidney transplant.
Mediheal Hospital and Fertility Centre has responded to an exposé made by German media outlets Der Spiegel, ZDF, and DW, suggesting its involvement in an international organ trafficking network.
In an interview with Spice FM, Maryline Limo, the Vice President of Mediheal Group of Hospitals, strongly rejected the accusations, asserting that all transplants carried out at the facility follow proper procedures.
"Mediheal Group of Hospitals wishes to categorically state that all transplant procedures carried out at the facilities strictly adhere to the legal procedures of the hospital," Limo said.
Limo clarified that patients who undergo transplants at the hospital arrive with their own donors, emphasizing that the facility is not involved in the sourcing of organs, contrary to the allegations.
"We would also like to make it clear that the patients are coming with their donors to the facility. The facility is not involved in sourcing and selection of donors to the facility," she said.
"So, the clients come themselves to the hospital, and the procedures are being followed accordingly."
The report named Mediheal Hospital as a major center for transplant surgeries, claiming that recipients paid up to $200,000 (Ksh 25.9 million) for a single kidney transplant.
However, Limo rejected these assertions, emphasizing that the hospital does not receive any funds from the donors.
She reiterated that all legal procedures are followed, with formal affidavits signed by the donors without any financial coercion.
Limo further clarified that the hospital only collects fees for the services provided and is not involved in any monetary exchange related to organ sourcing.
"I want to make it clear that MediHeal Hospital is not part of any financial transactions related to this matter. The money received is solely for the services rendered to the client. The facility is not involved in any exchange of money beyond that," she stated.
Limo explained that Mediheal Hospital treats both international and local patients, either directly or through outpatient referrals.
This comes after a comprehensive report by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, based on a fact-finding mission carried out by a multidisciplinary team at Mediheal Hospital.
The report highlighted substantial issues within the hospital’s kidney transplant program and raised new concerns about possible organ trafficking involving foreign nationals.
In response, CS Duale also revealed the formation of a special team tasked with investigating the allegations against Mediheal Hospital.