In a move to enhance transparency and public safety, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has launched an SMS short code, 20547, enabling citizens to quickly confirm the credentials of healthcare professionals and facilities across Kenya.
By providing a simple and accessible method of verifying healthcare credentials, the initiative aims to significantly enhance patient safety and reinforce compliance with regulatory standards, ultimately protecting the public.
The short code is designed to provide individuals with an accessible and straightforward way to confirm the legitimacy of healthcare professionals and facilities.
Expanding its reach, the service also verifies medical camp registration and licensure, reinforcing the medical council’s commitment to eliminating unqualified practitioners and maintaining high medical standards across Kenya.
According to KMPDC CEO, Dr. David Kariuki, the initiative is crucial for promoting public health and safety.
“By providing easy verification of healthcare professionals and facilities, including medical camps, we empower the public to make informed decisions about their care, enhancing their well-being and peace of mind.”
“The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council is resolute in its dedication to upholding the highest standards of medical practice in Kenya. Thus, this verification system, enhances transparency and accountability and is designed to protect the public, hence we encourage its use to secure quality healthcare from licensed professionals,” he added.
He further reiterated the council’s commitment to ensuring all medical practitioners and facilities adhere to legal requirements.
Meanwhile, by enabling credential verification, the system reduces fraud for insurance companies and strengthens compliance monitoring for regulatory agencies, benefiting patients and other healthcare stakeholders.
For instance, to verify a medical practitioner’s credentials using the KMPDC’s SMS service, simply send a text message to 20547 using the format “P#” followed by the practitioner’s full name or registration number; for example, “P#John Doe” or “P#A0000”. This will allow you to quickly and easily confirm their registration and licensure status.
On the other hand, to verify the registration and licensure of a health facility through the KMPDC’s SMS service, send a text message to 20547 using the format “H#” followed by the facility’s full name or registration number; for example, “H#Kenya Health Centre” or “H#000000”. This method allows for quick and easy confirmation of the facility’s credentials.
Lastly, KMPDC encourages the public to use the toll-free SMS service to verify the credentials of medical practitioners and facilities, ensuring they receive authorized care.
By Hellen Lunalo
