Why Gov't Has Shut Down 544 Health Facilities

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has sanctioned the closure of hundreds of medical facilities believed to be operating illegally. 

Through a gazette notice published on August 28 by KMPDC chief executive officer David Kariuki, the regulator noted that the facilities are operating without valid licences after countrywide inspection.

"It is notified for the general information of the public that the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, in accordance with section 15 (11) and section 22 (5), has closed the following premises were closed for being used as a health institution without being duly registered or licensed," read KMPDC's notice.

Most facilities are stationed in Homa Bay and Nairobi counties, with others in Kisii, Wajir and Mandera.

The facilities in Homa Bay include Umoja Clinic, Orandi Medical Centre, Curafa Medical Clinic, Baypharm Town Clinic, Idinesa Medical Clinic, Rota Chemist and Clinic, St Lawrence Homabay Hospital and Annexe Jamii Dental Clinic.

Others are Express Care Medical Centre, Rangwe Chemist and Medical Clinic, Jawabu Community Medical Centre, Apollo Medicare, Kodumo Clinic, Rabala Medical Centre, Cheluget Legacy Medical Clinic, Kochola Medical Clinic, Rakina Medical Clinic, Jakim Medical Centre, Kawasera Medical Centre, Assured Medical Centre | Anges Medical Centre, El Romed Pala Medical Centre, Cape Medical Clinic, Olare Health Care, Destiny Medical Centre & Laboratory, Shauri Yako Medical Clinic, Kipazi Laboratory and Clinic and Mew Mbita Clinic.

Full list below:

The closure comes days after facilities believed to defraud the Social Health Authority (SHA) were suspended.

SHA chief executive officer Mercy Mwangangi noted that the health centres were faking claims to benefit from the scheme's payment plans.

Meanwhile, President William Ruto has consistently told off the naysayers, declaring that SHA will streamline healthcare in the country.

According to the president, the digitisation of SHA makes it more efficient and fraud-proof compared to the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Despite the efforts by the government to clean the system and make it fraud-proof, reports have emerged of millions being dissipated through the system.

In the recent past, the Ministry of Health has been fighting off reports of embezzlement of funds.

According to the reports, select facilities have been benefitting from SHA without proof of services.

While affirming the government's commitment to make the scheme succeed, Health CS Aden Duale acknowledged challenges in the system, including upcoding where facilities cook claims to process big payments, inconsistent with the services offered.