The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) is facing increased scrutiny over the licensing of unqualified and non-compliant medical facilities across the country.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, during his first official visit to the Council’s offices, issued a stern warning against malpractice, stressing the Council’s vital role in upholding the integrity of Kenya’s healthcare system.
“I issued a firm warning against the licensing of unqualified and non-compliant medical facilities, making it clear that any malpractice by compliance officers will attract legal consequences,” said CS Duale.
The KMPDC is a statutory body tasked with regulating the training and practice of medicine, dentistry, and community oral health in Kenya.
CS Duale urged the Council to uphold integrity, transparency, and efficiency, echoing provisions in the 2023 Social Health Insurance Act, which calls for accountability and a strong sense of public service in health governance.
“Let your operations reflect integrity, transparency, and a commitment to public service,” he added, calling for improved teamwork and timely service delivery.
The crackdown on compliance comes at a time when the Ministry of Health and the National Assembly Health Committee are conducting parallel investigations into kidney transplant procedures, following serious allegations of malpractice and ethical breaches at several medical institutions.
On April 17, Duale appointed an independent expert committee of transplant specialists from both public and private sectors to carry out a comprehensive audit of kidney transplant procedures over the past five years.
The audit is expected to focus on governance, ethical practices, and patient safety protocols.
“The committee will submit its report within 90 days,” the CS confirmed, noting that the move was prompted by the failure of a previous probe team in December 2023 to deliver a conclusive report.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly Health Committee, chaired by Seme MP James Nyikal, has launched an 80-day inquiry to examine possible legal loopholes and regulatory failures in Kenya’s organ transplant system.
The outcomes of both inquiries are expected to inform sweeping reforms in the health sector, especially in the licensing and oversight of medical facilities.
