The Kenya Medical, Practitioners and Dentist Council (KMPDC) has shut down 80 health facilities in Kajiado County over noncompliance to licensing regulations.
An additional 3 facilities have also been partially closed for not maintaining stipulated standards.
A total of 27 health practitioners operating at the facilities without proper licenses were also arrested in a crackdown conducted by both council officials and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Speaking in Kajiado town Friday, KMPDC Chief Executive Officer David Kariuki revealed that a total of 368 out of the 428 registered health facilities had already been inspected and the exercise was still on going to ensure that all facilities have complied with the set standards.
“Some of the facilities closed were operating below the stipulated standards, others were either unregistered or unlicensed, while others had employed persons that were unregistered or unlicensed, “he said.
Dr Kariuki emphasised that KMPDC stands firm in its mission to regulate medical practitioners and facilities to ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to all Kenyans.
He warned that legal action will be taken against health practitioners operating without valid licenses issued by the council.
County Executive Committee Member for Health Alex Kilowua, reiterated the county government’s commitment towards providing quality and accessible health care.
Kilowua applauded KMPDC for conducting the inspection exercise adding that private health facilities operating without the required licenses and set standards were putting the lives of Kenyans at risk.
“We have seen many people masquerading as licensed health practitioners and putting the lives of Kenyans at risk. We are happy with the ongoing inspection and will be keen to ensure that legal action is taken against them to deter others,” he added.
Kilowua further called for the inspection of public hospitals to ensure that they are compliant with health standards set by the council.
By Rop Janet
