A summary report regarding the alleged kidney harvest from a one Muhamood Kabanda by the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council (UMDPC) has revealed that the victim was born with no kidney on his left side.
Last week, Kabanda, 25, a trader in St. Balikuddembe Market, was paraded by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago claiming that his left kidney was missing after being admitted to Old Kampala Hospital following a boda boda accident.
According to a report signed by Associate Professor Joel Okullo, the chairman of the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council, and Dr. Katumba Ssentongo, the Registrar, although Kabanda underwent an operation, there was no evidence to prove that his kidney was harvested.
“The specialists examined the site of and size of the incision. Their findings were that indeed there was a scar in the anterior abdominal wall that was far from the anatomical location of the kidney. And according to the site and size, it would have been very difficult for anybody to harvest a kidney through that site as one would have to go through several layers of muscles to reach the kidney,” the report read.
It added: “On further examination, they found that according the mobility of the lower limbs, it was clear that the internal structures were not tempered with. And that the incision did not go beyond the skin and underlying soft tissue.”
They say that the specialists also confirmed that it was in order and a routine procedure to secure fat from the anterior abdominal wall to fill in the defect occasioned by the fracture.
“The specialists demonstrated that there was only one kidney (the right kidney) which normally occurs in 1:750 persons. They also found a big right kidney. The right kidney had two renal arteries supplying it. The main aorta did not have any branch going to the left side. There was no evidence of any cut on the main aorta. They concluded that it was possible for the left kidney to have fused with the right one during formation hence the two renal arteries supplying it,” the report read.
Based on the observations of the surgeons and radiologists, and the examination of the medical records, it concluded that “no kidney on the left side to have been harvested, UMDPC concludes that Mr. Kabanda has ONLY ONE KIDNEY, THAT IS THE RIGHT KIDNEY”.
They revealed that the conclusions have been reached at following the procedures laid down by the council where Old Kampala Hospital was asked to give an explanation and this included giving the identified doctors who operated on the case and the Neurosurgeons who carried out the operation and were also asked to give their response.
UMDPC says it got an explanation letter from Old Kampala Hospital, an explanation letter from the doctor who operated on Mr. Kabanda, the file containing the medical records of Mr. Kabanda from Old Kampala Hospital, the Ultrasound scan from Malcom Medical Centre, the CD of the CT scans from Nsambya Hospital, Mengo Hospital and Kampala Imaging Centre.
The council noted that it lined up radiologists to review all the radiographs, surgeons, who included the General Surgeon, Urologist (to examine the case) and Neuro surgeon for guidance.
The Council has called for calm and asked that all the allegations be set to rest and requests Mr. Kabanda’s family and friends to support him psychologically.
It noted that the findings were given to the parties and their lawyers and a full report shall be availed to them in due course.
UMDPC is a government agency established by an Act of Parliament (UMDPC Act 272). Among its mandate is to protect the public from unsafe practices of medical and dental practitioners.
This is the body where all complaints against the practitioners and their health facilities are presented and handled.
