Duale forms taskforce to investigate organ transplant services in the country

Mediheal Group of Hospitals in Eldoret. April 23, 2025. [Peter Ochieng, Standard] Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has gazetted a task force of 12 members with three joint secretaries, to investigate organ transplant services across the country and probe several allegations involving Mediheal Group of Hospitals. Duale in a gazette notice dated April 23, 2025, said the Independent Investigative Committee on Tissue and Organ Transplant Services will serve for three months. The committee will conduct independent investigations into non-compliant practices in health facilities, including Mediheal Hospitals. The Cabinet Secretary said the committee to be chaired by Prof Elizabeth Bukusi will be required to evaluate governance, ethical, legal and clinical practices of tissue and organ transplant services across the country and establish the current legal framework on tissue and organ transplant. "The committee has been tasked to establish the current legal and regulatory framework governing tissue and organ transplant services in Kenya and conducting an in-depth, independent investigation into any non-compliant services offered in health facilities with a special focus on Mediheal Group of Hospitals," said Duale. Committee Members include: Dr Jonathan Ameyo, Prof Ahmed Sokwala, Dr Prexedes Okutoyi, Dr Patrick Mburugu, Dr Noelle Orata, Dr Ann Barasa, Dr Diviner Nyarera, Dr Wendy Kimbui, Sarah Bonaya, Dr Charles Kandie, Joseph Ndirangu, and Larica Onam while the Joint secretaries include Dr Stella Kanja, Reuben Tulei and Jedidah Oduor. Duale said that the committee will assess governance, ethical, legal, and clinical practices of transplant services across all medical institutions in the country and is expected to review the existing policy, legal, and institutional frameworks, standards, guidelines, and protocols in place, identifying any gaps or weaknesses. The CS said that the team will also be required to evaluate transplant procedures, ethics reviews and post-transplant monitoring processes, and determine whether health facilities are licensed and are in compliance with the relevant frameworks. Duale said the committee is mandated to obtain and review all clinical records, consent forms and documentation for tissue and organ transplants conducted in the past 60 months at Mediheal Group of Hospitals and carry out interviews with hospital staff and recipients. "The committee will be required to interview transplant surgeons, nephrologists, anesthetists, administrators and both donors and recipients with the probe seeking to determine whether any commercialization, coercion, or violations of the Human Tissue Act or any other laws have occurred," said Duale. The Cabinet Secretary said the committee will audit Mediheal Hospital observance to transplant service standards, including the functioning of its Renal Transplant Ethics Committee and evaluate the hospital's reporting to regulators and compliance with site inspections. Duale said the committee will also investigate whether Mediheal Hospital followed regulations concerning the shipment of human tissues or organs outside Kenya and submitted the required reports to government agencies. The team will hold consultative meetings with stakeholders and the public, access and review previous relevant reports, and ultimately submit a detailed report with recommendations. "The recommendations made by the committee are expected to address gaps, systemic weaknesses, professional or criminal misconduct and any other issues uncovered during inquiry while regulating its procedures over orderly conduct of its proceedings, quorum for transaction of business and other related matters," said Duale. The committee is authorised to conduct or commission studies and research necessary to support its work and in consultation with the Health Cabinet Secretary, include any additional individuals who may aid in executing its mandate.

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Duale forms taskforce to investigate organ transplant services in the country

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