Kenya has robust system to curb medical malpractices

Some years back, a young woman visited a facility for a cosmetic procedure. A few days later, she developed complications and unfortunately succumbed. This case highlights a broader issue of unqualified individuals performing invasive medical procedures under the guise of beauty spas or ‘treatment centres.’

One area of growing concern is the prevalence of ‘beauty’ procedures such as dermabrasion, hair transplantation, scar revision surgery and administration of injectables by unqualified professionals. These practices not only risk lives but also undermine the integrity of the medical profession.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has been actively monitoring the emergence of such cases and responding decisively. In Nairobi metropolitan alone, 28 such facilities were inspected early last year with six closed. These actions have resulted in a notable decline in such cases underscoring KMPDC’s commitment to protecting public health.

KMPDC has put in place stringent measures to curtail professional misconduct or any other violation of a patient’s rights. The Council’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee conducts inquiries into cases of professional misconduct and other malpractices, including patient mismanagement, overcharging, and failure to adhere to set standards of healthcare provision. The majority of complaints handled by the Council usually revolve around misdiagnosis of an illness, wrong treatment, errors in managing the case, and lack of consent from the patient prior to performing some procedures.

In 2024 alone, KMPDC received 132 complaints from the public involving professional misconduct and complaints against hospitals or clinics. In 2020, the number of complaints stood at 80, an increase of 39 per cent over four years. The rise in number of complaints is attributable to greater public awareness as a result of sensitisation campaigns carried out by KMPDC.

The number of reported malpractice cases remains low at only 20 per month compared to about 250,000 hospital admissions across the country per month. The Council is investing more resources in capacity building to expand its presence to all 47 counties from eleven currently.

KMPDC also undertakes regular monitoring and inspection of the 90,000-plus health facilities in Kenya. Over the last two years, we have doubled compliance inspections with 21,211 facilities inspected and 1,423 shut down or required to rectify anomalies. Some, totalling 80, were found to be operated by persons not qualified or registered as medical practitioners or offering health services illegally.

In addition, 80 persons were arrested in an aggressive operation by KMPDC and law enforcement agencies to weed out quacks and illegal clinics that endanger the lives of innocent Kenyans.

I, therefore, urge Kenyans to be vigilant against illegal practices to avoid putting their lives at risk by reaching out to KMPDC through a simple toll-free SMS to 20547 to report any malpractice. Also visit the Council’s website, www.kmpdc.go.ke, which explains the procedure for lodging complaints.

Working closely with the Ministry of Health and other sector stakeholders, KMPDC has instilled high standards of practice in the provision of healthcare in Kenya. In 2024, KMPDC secured the ISO 17024:2012 accreditation, signifying the Council’s dedication to excellence and international best practice.

All said we have made significant progress as a country toward sustainable regulation of the medical profession and health institutions. Together, we can uphold the highest standards in healthcare for all Kenyans and avert needless loss of life and harm to those who have put their trust in the healthcare system.

Dr Kariuki is the CEO of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council.