Hope for patients as KU Hospital perform first renal transplant
Dr Njogu Maina, a consultant physician and kidney specialist who was leading the team of surgeons said the recipient was a 47-year-old woman who received the organ from a 50-year-old man
There is hope for patients after Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) performed its first kidney transplant, termed as a milestone in local medical services.
The historical operation was successfully carried out on two pairs of patients, comprising of a donor and a recipient of the organ, on May 7 and May 8, 2025.
The four are currently undergoing observation and post-surgery treatment in the wards.
Now KUTRRH becomes the third public hospital to undertake kidney transplants after Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH).
The KUTRRH Chief Executive Dr Zainab Gura said after the pioneer transplant, a third pair has been prepared for the operation while eight others are lined up for preparation.
“We have another pair that is ready for surgery and there are eight other pairs of patients and donors undergoing preparation in the next few weeks. This will be an ongoing service from now,” said Dr Gura.
Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga who spoke during a press briefing at the KU Referral facility said all the procedures involved including the transplant, medical preparation and post-surgery treatment are fully covered by the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“The costs are fully covered in public hospitals and it covers patients who have registered and paid their premiums in the Social Health Insurance Fund. People have to understand that when you register you have to go to the next step of paying your premiums, then you become fully covered,” explained Dr Oluga.
The PS also divulged that going forward, the government to have at least 200 renal transplants yearly through the six level 6 public hospitals.
“We are targeting to do up to 200 transplants a year in the level 6 facilities and then see how we can scale this to other hospitals. We are keen to make this work,” stated Dr Oluga.
He noted that the country will be able to save over Sh 7 billion spent by Kenyans undergoing dialysis every year, noting that apart from reducing costs, the kidney transplants also improve the quality of life of the patients.
“As a government we are encouraging as many kidney transplants as possible because it saves between 70 and 80 percent of the costs incurred through dialysis,”
Dr Oluga also told Kenyans, particularly those undergoing dialysis and kidney treatment to enlist with the SHA so that they can benefit.
The Hospital Board Chairman Kembi Gitura asked level 6 hospitals to collaborate and work on programs aimed at reducing medical tourism abroad, such as the kidney transplants, hence saving the country huge sums of money spent in the process.
“The level 6 hospitals need to and must work together to bridge the gap that necessitates our citizens to seek medical help from outside the country. We should not be in competition but instead let’s embrace synergy,” said Gitura.
Dr Njogu Maina, a consultant physician and kidney specialist who was leading the team of surgeons said the recipient was a 47-year-old woman who received the organ from a 50-year-old man.
He said it took three years of preparation for the historic transplants which were done in collaboration with doctors from MTRH.
