The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has closed down 158 health facilities in Nairobi over non-compliance.
In a statement on Thursday, KMPDC CEO David Kariuki said the council, in collaboration with other health regulatory bodies, conducted an inspection covering 288 health facilities in Nairobi.
The inspection led to the downgrading of 25 facilities, while 105 were maintained at their current level.
Kariuki noted that most of the facilities shut down or downgraded were either unregistered, unlicensed, employing unqualified practitioners, or operating below the required standards.
“Others lacked critical infrastructure such as pharmacies, maternity wings, and laboratories. Others faced sanitation issues, inadequate waste disposal, posing a direct threat to patient health,” Kariuki stated.
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Further, the KMPDC CEO said the council will gazette the names of the closed health facilities to protect members of the public.
“This information on closed health facilities has been shared with relevant authorities, including the National Government Administration Office, County Governments, Social Health Authority, Digital Health Authority, and health regulatory bodies to ensure continued compliance,” Kariuki remarked.
Additionally, the council emphasized that the move is part of ongoing efforts to combat malpractice and unsafe treatment environments.
“Our primary duty is to protect patients. We will continue to enforce these regulations firmly and fairly, so that every Kenyan receives the quality healthcare they deserve,” the KMPDC CEO added.
The closure of the 158 facilities comes days after the Social Health Authority (SHA) suspended 45 health facilities from providing services under the Social Health Insurance program.
In a gazette notice published on Tuesday, August 26, the authority noted that the suspended facilities are barred from offering services to SHA beneficiaries during their suspension.
"In accordance with the provisions of the Social Health Insurance Act, the facilities listed in the Schedule shall not be entitled to any benefit from the Social Health Authority during their suspension,” the gazette notice read in part.
The suspended facilities span multiple counties, with the highest number being in Mandera County, where eight facilities were suspended.
Kisii County also had 7 health facilities suspended over fraudulent claims and falsification of medical records.
Other affected counties include Kisumu, Turkana, Kakamega, Homa Bay, Meru, Migori, and Kirinyaga counties.
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