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Relief for kin of medic whose body was stuck in South Korea hospital
A picture of Dr George Rae at a past event.
As the family of the late Dr George Rae continues to mourn his loss, a ray of hope has emerged. The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) has stepped in to negotiate a substantial reduction in the overwhelming hospital bill incurred during his treatment in South Korea.
Dr Rae, described by peers as a distinguished health systems thinker, worked as a public servant and served as a senior adviser to Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o in Kisumu County’s Department of Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation. He passed away in South Korea while part of a “Smart Cities” conference delegation.
According to his sister, Dr Deborah Onundo, Dr Rae was well when he left Kenya for the work-related trip.
“We spoke via a WhatsApp call and he was doing okay. Days later, I was informed that he had suffered a cardiac incident. He died on December 26 after a few days in the intensive care unit (ICU),” she said.
His repatriation had been stalled by a staggering medical bill exceeding Sh15 million, which was beyond the legal limits of county government medical cover.
Following direct intervention by the Korean Medical Association and coordination with the executive leadership of Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, where he had been admitted, the facility agreed to reclassify Dr Rae’s medical expenses.
In a letter dated December 31, 2025, Korean Medical Association president TaegWoo Kim informed the Kenya Medical Association that the hospital had granted “special consideration” to Dr Rae as a fellow medical professional.
Diplomatic and professional negotiations
The hospital has now recalculated the out-of-pocket expenses at the same subsidised level applied to Korean nationals, a move described by international medical leaders as a “highly exceptional measure” reflecting global professional solidarity. The impact of the diplomatic and professional negotiations has been substantial, reducing the financial burden on the family and the Kisumu County Government by more than 68 percent. According to Professor Khama Rogo, the family’s spokesperson, the bill now stands at Sh5,270,075.
With the bill significantly lowered, the Kisumu County Government has confirmed that arrangements have been finalised to bring Dr Rae home.
According to Kisumu Health CEC Dr Gregory Ganda, the body is booked on an Emirates flight departing South Korea on Monday at 11pm local time. Dr Rae’s wife, Rhoda Rae, who has been in South Korea, will accompany the body on the flight.
The body has been cleared for airlifting and is being prepared for transport to the airport.
“The county engaged the hospital’s board, which agreed to release the body today at 6am Kenyan time. The county government will offset the remaining balance. We are expected to make payments today after receiving the payment details from the hospital,” Dr Ganda said.
“We held negotiations with the hospital on December 31, supported by an appeal from the county government and a formal letter from the Kenya Medical Association. Through these efforts, our point person successfully negotiated a reduction of more than 50 per cent in the hospital bill,” he added.
Dr Ganda noted that the hospital required a formal commitment letter from the government confirming that the outstanding balance would be paid before releasing the body.
“We had to obtain approval from relevant government agencies, given the exceptional nature of the proposed expenditure. This took a few days. Once approval was granted, the governor, on behalf of the county, issued the required commitment letter, with payment to follow in accordance with due process.
“The repatriation had already been arranged by the agent, so once the body was released, the rest followed: flight booking and preparation of the body,” he said.
A coroner is expected to conduct special embalming to ensure the body is properly packaged for airlifting. A travel agent contracted by the county government will handle the repatriation.
The breakthrough comes amid public debate regarding Dr Rae’s status in South Korea. The Kisumu County Government clarified that while Dr Rae was a legitimate member of the Smart Cities delegation, his medical insurance coverage was complicated by incomplete registration under the county’s Madison Insurance scheme.
The county further explained that the legal medical benefit ceiling for government employees is capped at Sh2.5 million by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). The negotiated reduction now brings the remaining balance closer to a manageable figure for the county and well-wishers to settle.
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