By KPC Reporter
In a bid to revolutionize Kenya’s organ donation framework, medical experts are calling for sweeping reforms that could save countless lives.
At the heart of the proposal is a push to establish a national deceased organ donation program, modeled on globally recognized systems that have proven effective in countries like Spain and the United States.
Currently, the country lacks a structured pathway for organ donation after death, leaving patients in need of transplants with few options.
The proposed system would introduce two clinical pathways for deceased organ donation: Donation After Brain Death (DBD) and Donation After Circulatory Death Determination (DCDD).
These pathways, illustrated in a newly released infographic (see it below), outline the step-by-step process from hospital identification of potential donors to organ recovery and transplant.
In the DBD pathway, organ donation becomes possible when a patient is declared brain dead but remains on life support.
The DCDD pathway, on the other hand, involves donation after the heart has stopped beating and death is confirmed.
Both routes require close coordination between hospitals, Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs), and transplant centers to ensure ethical and timely organ recovery.
Experts emphasize that donor family care is a critical component of the process.
Families must be supported emotionally and informed transparently throughout the donation journey.
The infographic highlights this aspect, underscoring the need for compassionate communication and respect for the donor’s legacy.
Experts have argued that Kenya must move beyond reliance on living donors. \
“We need to build a system where deceased organ donation is normalized, regulated, and embraced by the public,” a surgeon based in Kisii said.
“It’s not just about saving lives—it’s about dignity, equity, and medical advancement.”
The proposal also includes public education campaigns to raise awareness and dispel myths surrounding organ donation.
If adopted, the reforms could mark a turning point in Kenya’s healthcare landscape, offering hope to thousands on transplant waiting lists.
Beyond saving lives, the proposed national framework could also serve as a deterrent against illegal organ harvesting, a shadowy practice that has plagued parts of Kenya’s healthcare system.
“By establishing transparent, regulated pathways for deceased organ donation, the country would reduce the desperation that drives patients and families into the hands of unscrupulous brokers,” our source who declined to be named said.
The case of Mediheal Hospital, which has faced scrutiny since 2023 over allegations of unethical transplant procedures, underscores the urgency of reform.
While investigations yielded mixed findings, the public outcry revealed deep mistrust and a lack of oversight in the current system.