Gov’t Warns Doctors Against Misuse of Professional Credentials

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has cautioned doctors and medical practitioners against lending or sharing their professional credentials with other individuals for pre-authorization from insurers or billing purposes.

In a public notice on Tuesday, September 22, KMPDC CEO David Kariuki said that registration numbers, practicing licenses, professional stamps, and signatures are personal to the registered practitioner and should not be shared. 

“Practitioners are reminded that registration numbers, practicing licenses, professional stamps, signatures, and related credentials are personal to the registered practitioner. 

“They must not be lent, shared, or otherwise used by any other person to seek pre-authorization from insurers, the Social Health Authority, or any other payer, or to represent that a procedure will be, or has been, performed by the named practitioner when that is not the case,” read the notice. 

Kariuki warned that doctors and dentists who will be found to have shared their professional credentials will be held personally liable. 

He noted that they will face disciplinary measures including suspension or cancellation of the practicing license. 

“Such conduct may amount to professional misconduct and/or fraud, and may attract disciplinary proceedings before the Council, including suspension or cancellation of registration or license, in addition to any civil or criminal liability,” Kariuki stated. 

The KMPDC CEO also warned health care facilities against allowing unqualified individuals to carry out major invasive procedures. 

Kariuki said that facilities found allowing unqualified individuals to perform major invasive procedures will face regulatory sanctions.

“Health institutions that allow unqualified persons to undertake major invasive procedures, or that facilitate the misuse of practitioners’ credentials, will be deemed to have failed in their duty of care to patients and may face regulatory sanctions, including suspension or cancellation of facility licenses, in accordance with Cap 253 and applicable regulations,” he added. 

This comes days after KMPDC extended the deadline for ambulance owners and operators to register and obtain licences for their services.

In a statement on Thursday, September 17, the council said the extension follows the launch of Ambulance Evacuation Services, giving operators additional time to complete the registration and licensing process without incurring charges.

"Following the successful launch of Ambulance Evacuation Services, the Council is pleased to announce that the deadline for free registration and licensure has been extended to 30th October 2026," the statement read.

KMPDC urged ambulance owners and operators who have not yet completed the process to use the extended period to submit their applications before the new deadline.

"Ambulance owners and operators are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this extended grace period to submit their applications at no cost," the statement added.