Nairobi: The Parliamentary Committee on Health has pitched tent in Uasin Gishu County to unravel the mystery surrounding the alleged organ transplant scandal at a hospital in Eldoret city. The chairperson of the committee, Seme Legislator Dr. James Nyikal, urged members of the public to keep calm as the team conducts investigations into the alleged unethical organ transplant practices, particularly kidney transplants, at hospitals in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
According to Kenya News Agency, the exercise began on Thursday as the committee visited Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), St. Luke Orthopaedic and Trauma Centre, and Oak Tree Hospital in Eldoret, as part of an inquiry into alleged malpractice and ethical breaches in kidney transplant services at Mediheal Group of Hospitals. The probe was triggered by a petition in Parliament alleging organ harvesting and illegal transplants.
Speaking to the press after conducting interviews with the affected parties, including donors, police investigators, parents, and the administration of the Mediheal group of hospitals, Dr. Nyikal affirmed that transplants were indeed performed in the mentioned hospitals. However, he emphasized that the occurrence of transplants does not inherently indicate illegality or financial transactions.
“This is work in progress,” Dr. Nyikal stated. “We haven’t finished here, we may still call them back to parliament or we may come back here to get the work done. But definitely what we can say is that some transplants are going on in the hospitals here. That is not to say those transplants are illegal or are bought. That is the next stage we are going to.”
Dr. Nyikal noted that currently, no transplants are taking place after their visits to St Luke Orthopaedic and Trauma Centre, Oak Tree Hospital, and Mediheal Group of Hospitals. The investigation focuses on past events to determine the legality of the transplants, the legitimacy of donations, and whether all necessary protocols were adhered to.
“We know that some transplants are going on, but exactly how they are is the next step that we are going into,” he added. “So it is work in progress and once it is over, you will get a complete report. We can’t say that as of now, this is our finding.”
Dr. Nyikal revealed that ongoing police investigations are being compared with the affected donors’ accounts to identify any discrepancies. Some donors sought help after realizing their kidneys were removed without receiving assistance from the police.
Nyeri MP Duncan Mathenge acknowledged that none of the donors presented any medical conditions outside the known side effects or outcomes after kidney surgery. The committee is addressing legality, medical ethics, and professional conduct to determine whether the allegations comply with legal and ethical standards.
“Something will only be termed illegal if there is a contravention of the written law or regulations, or there is a violation of the written statutes,” Mathenge explained. “Secondly, medical ethics, a set of ethical considerations that guide the medical practice globally and also regionally like the East African Protocols. Then lastly, there is the question of professional conduct.”
The exercise is also aiding in the formulation of the Kenya Tissue Transplant Bill currently before Parliament. Mathenge emphasized the abundance of information gathered, which will guide the investigation into ethical, professional conduct, or legal issues.
Mediheal Group of Hospitals, through their lawyers led by Peter Oiboo Moritant, expressed commitment to cooperate with government and investigative agencies. They aim to provide the necessary information and documents to ensure fruitful investigations for the country’s betterment.
“Mediheal subjects itself to all scrutiny and investigation by the relevant investigative agencies and we believe that at the end of all those investigations and enquiries, that is when the vindication will be,” noted the lawyer.