Illegal kidney trade under investigation: 476 surgical procedures at Mediheal under review, leading to potential penalties
In Kenya, an Independent Investigative Committee on Tissue and Organ Transplant Services has been appointed by the Ministry of Health to probe suspected fraud and organ trafficking at Mediheal hospitals. The investigation was triggered by the discovery of 476 kidney transplant surgeries conducted at the hospital between 2018 and March 2025.
The committee is particularly concerned about the potential exploitation of poor donors, cash-for-organs deals, and transplant tourism targeting wealthy foreign patients, especially from Israel. The committee recommends further probes into three medical professionals linked to Mediheal hospitals: Dr A S Murthy, a nephrologist; Dr Sananda Bag, a urologist and transplant surgeon; and Dr Vijay Kumar, an anaesthesiologist.
Dr A S Murthy, Dr Sananda Bag, and Dr Vijay Kumar are accused of potential violations of national transplant laws and ethical standards related to organ trafficking and unauthorized commercialization of transplant services. The allegations include forged documentation and unethical medical practices to conduct transplants that violated the regulations governing organ transplantation in Kenya.
The hospital's cash payment model and possible regulatory failures by oversight bodies such as the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council are also under examination. The committee's findings, if substantiated, could have significant implications for the medical community and the integrity of organ transplantation in the country.
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| Name | Role | Allegations | |-----------------|---------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dr A S Murthy | Nephrologist | Possible violations of transplant laws and ethical standards linked to organ trafficking| | Dr Sananda Bag | Urologist & Surgeon | Possible violations of transplant laws and ethical standards in transplantation | | Dr Vijay Kumar | Anaesthesiologist | Possible violations of transplant laws and ethical standards in transplantation |
- The Independent Investigative Committee on Tissue and Organ Transplant Services, in the aftermath of suspected fraud and organ trafficking at Mediheal hospitals, is especially Examining potential exploitation of poor donors, cash-for-organs deals, and targeting of wealthy foreign patients through transplant tourism.
- In the health and wellness domain, investigators are also considering the Hospital's cash payment model and potential regulatory failures by oversight bodies such as the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, which could have widespread implications for the medical community and the integrity of organ transplantation in Kenya.
- Simultaneously, General-news outlets are following the allegations against three medical professionals - Dr A S Murthy, Dr Sananda Bag, and Dr Vijay Kumar - who are being accused of potential violations related to organ trafficking, unauthorized commercialization of transplant services, and unethical medical practices that flouted transplant laws and ethical guidelines in Kenya.
