The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has been warned against  licensing unqualified and non-compliant medical facilities in the country even as the investigations into suspect organ transplant at Mediheal Hospital get underway.

According to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale any compliance or registration officer involved in registration of facilities malpractice will face consequences: “It will not be business as usual.”

CS Duale was speaking during a visit to KMPDC offices in Nairobi where he challenged the Council to uphold integrity, transparency, and service to the public as stipulated under Section 33(2) of the 2023 Social Health Insurance Act. 

The CS cited the Council’s pivotal role in ensuring all Kenyans, regardless of age or economic status, can access safe, quality healthcare delivered by qualified professionals.

“Let your operations reflect integrity, transparency, and service to the public,” he urged, while calling for timely service delivery, teamwork, and efficient use of public resources.

Hon. Duale assured KMPDC of the Ministry’s full support in enhancing its effectiveness through legislative reforms, resource mobilization, and stronger coordination with counties and professional bodies.

Hon. Duale also briefed the Council on the Ministry’s Digital Health Agency, highlighting its role in identifying and cracking down on unqualified medical practitioners to safeguard the public from substandard care.

Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga stressed the need for a clear competency framework and robust professional practice evaluation to enhance service delivery and ensure high standards across the sector.

Duale's warning comes barely a week after his ministry send another warning to KPMDU asking it to suspend with immediate effect the issuance of licenses for foreign medical practitioners except those coming from the East African Community member states.

"Effective immediately, all transplant services and in particular kidney transplant services at Mediheal Group of Hospitals are hereby suspended until further notice," stated CS Duale on Thursday, 17th April, 2025.

Last week, the ministry urged patients awaiting kidney transplant services at Mediheal Hospital to seek such services at the Kenyatta National Hospital, Marter Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, The Aga Khan Hospital, M.P Shah Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, St. Lukes Hospital Eldoret, or at the Nairobi West Hospital.

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