Mediheal founder Swarup Mishra breaks silence, dismisses organ trafficking allegations

Mediheal Group of Hospitals founder Dr. Swarup Mishra has denied allegations that his facility has been involved in organ trafficking.

The hospital on the spot continues to claim nothing is amiss, with Mishra saying the allegations are unfounded and that he will fight them off through the second public audit.

"We are not involved in any trafficking, we are not involved in any syndicate, and we are not involved in any criminal enterprise related to any issue of kidney transplants. All that Mediheal does is to provide medical services,” said Mediheal Hospital lawyer Katwa Kigen.

The hospital, which puts the number of transplants conducted over the last seven years at 476, says that out of this number, 105 were foreigners.

It has denied findings of a 2023 probe that indicated that there was no translation, despite cases of donors and recipients being of different nationalities.

"In the affidavits to the donors, we have made sure that they confirm that they have understood the legal provision that exists in relation to donation, and we have made sure that it indicates they have the liberty to withdraw even at the last minute,” stated Kigen.

On the findings that transplants were conducted despite poor HLA donor-recipient crossmatch results, Mishra says they used high technology and ensured that those who received kidneys did not suffer any reactions.

"We did the level four—that is not only cross-matching, HLA matching, but genetic mapping, so gene-to-gene, so reaction is zero,” said Mishra.

Lawyer Kigen added, “We have no cases reported to us of any complications either in terms of the donors or recipients."

Mishra insists that the facility, which charges between Ksh.3.2 and Ksh.4.5 million to recipients, did not offer donors cash to give their kidneys as alleged by some of the victims.

The hospital's denial comes even as the Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has put his best foot forward to deal with the challenge, which has led to sleepless nights for hundreds of families in Uasin Gishu County.

CS Duale on Wednesday appointed a 13-membercommittee to probe allegations of organ trafficking at Mediheal, with a report expected within three months.

Prof. Elizabeth Bukusi to chair the Independent Investigative Committee on Tissue and Organ Transplant Services which brings together medical practitioners, scholars and regulatory bodies.

Members of the committee will include; Dr. Jonathan Wala Ameyo, Prof. Ahmed Sokwala, Dr. Prexedes Okutoyi, Dr. Patrick Mburugu, Dr. Noelle Atieno Orata, Dr. Ann Kasyoka Barasa, Dr. Diviner Kemunto Nyarera, Dr. Wendy Kimbui, Sara Talaso Bonaya, Dr. Charles Kandie, Joseph Ndirangu, and Larica Onam.

Prof. Elizabeth Bukusi to chair the Independent Investigative Committee on Tissue and Organ Transplant Services which brings together medical practitioners, scholars and regulatory bodies.

Members of the committee will include; Dr. Jonathan Wala Ameyo, Prof. Ahmed Sokwala, Dr. Prexedes Okutoyi, Dr. Patrick Mburugu, Dr. Noelle Atieno Orata, Dr. Ann Kasyoka Barasa, Dr. Diviner Kemunto Nyarera, Dr. Wendy Kimbui, Sara Talaso Bonaya, Dr. Charles Kandie, Joseph Ndirangu, and Larica Onam.