Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has issued a warning to a section of doctors, accusing them of undermining public healthcare by diverting patients from government hospitals to private facilities for personal gain.
Speaking in Tharaka Nithi County on Tuesday, December 16, he said some doctors were deliberately delaying surgeries in the public facility and then privately approaching patients to offer quicker procedures in private hospitals.
"Kenyatta has 26 theatres, you go for surgery, you are told 'come back after two months'. If you agree the doctor follows you and says 'if you go to a certain private hospital in town, I will do it tomorrow,' can you imagine? And I want to tell Kenyatta doctors, they either work for Kenyatta or they become private consultants," he said.
Duale urged Kenyans to embrace the government’s digital health platform, Afya Yangu, saying it would empower patients and prevent abuse within the system.
He explained that the platform would allow users to track medical services, costs, and insurance balances in real time.
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"All Kenyans with a smartphone, install Afya Yangu. If you have it, it will show you everything from medical checks, cost and your balance. No one will steal from you. We want to ensure every claim is verified and every fraud loophole is sealed," he added.
Elsewhere, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) issued a public notice warning manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and supermarkets against the sale and distribution of unregistered, falsified and counterfeit health products in Kenya.
In the notice dated Tuesday, the regulator also cautioned supermarkets, cosmetic shops, household goods stores, online sellers and other general retail outlets against stocking or selling prescription-only medicines, saying such practices violate the law and will attract regulatory action.
PPB warned that the importation, possession, distribution, sale or use of unregistered, falsified, counterfeit or recalled health products is illegal within the Republic of Kenya and will lead to serious consequences for those involved.
According to the regulator, individuals and entities found handling such products risk prosecution and criminal liability, including action against superintendent pharmacists or pharmaceutical technologists, persons acting under their direction, managers or persons in charge of premises, as well as directors and owners of the establishments.
The Board further said enforcement measures may include suspension or revocation of operating licences and the closure of premises found to be in violation of the law.
On the sale of medicines in retail outlets, PPB reiterated that supermarkets, cosmetic shops, household goods stores, online sellers and other general retailers are not authorised to stock, sell or supply prescription-only medicines.
The regulator warned that any outlet found contravening this requirement will be subject to regulatory sanctions, including prosecution of owners, managers and directors, and advised businesses unsure of which health products they may lawfully sell to seek guidance directly from the Board.
The Board also encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected illegal medicines or adverse drug reactions, urging them to act even where they are not fully certain.
“You need not be certain, just be suspicious. Report any suspected unregistered, falsified, counterfeit medicine, or adverse drug reaction to the Board," the notice read.
PPB said reports can be submitted through its online portal, via the *271# USSD code, through the mPvERS mobile application on Android and iOS, or by contacting the Board through its official email addresses and telephone line.
