Hospitals Warned Against Allowing Unqualified Staff to Perform Major Procedures

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has warned hospitals and other health facilities against allowing unqualified personnel to perform major invasive medical and dental procedures.

In a notice dated September 22, KMPDC said such procedures must only be performed by medical and dental practitioners who are duly registered and licensed by the Council, operate within the scope of their registration and hold valid practising licences.

“All health institutions and healthcare providers are hereby reminded that all major invasive procedures shall be undertaken only by medical and dental personnel who are duly registered and licensed by the Council, and who are practising within the scope of their registration and current practising licence,” read part of the notice.

KMPDC Warns Hospitals Over Unqualified Personnel

KMPDC said health facility managers and administrators must not permit, schedule or advertise major invasive procedures unless a Council-registered and licensed practitioner is physically responsible for the procedure and the patient’s care.

The Council warned that allowing unqualified personnel to undertake such procedures exposes patients to avoidable harm, undermines professional standards and constitutes an offence under the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act and related health laws.

In addition, the council noted that the health institutions that facilitate such practices could face regulatory action.

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According to KMPDC, health facilities that allow unqualified persons to perform major invasive procedures may be deemed to have failed in their duty of care to patients.

The Council said such facilities may face regulatory sanctions, including suspension or cancellation of their licences, in accordance with the law and applicable regulations.

“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 licences, in accordance with Cap 253 and applicable regulations,” read part of the notice.

Doctors Warned Against Sharing Professional Credentials

KMPDC also warned medical and dental practitioners against lending or sharing their professional credentials with other people.

The Council said registration numbers, practising licences, professional stamps, signatures and other related credentials are personal to the registered practitioner.

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Therefore, they should not be used by another person to obtain pre-authorisation from insurers, the Social Health Authority (SHA) or any other payer.

The council said a practitioner who allows another person to use their credentials for pre-authorisation, billing or related purposes may be held personally liable.

They noted that such conduct may amount to professional misconduct and/or fraud and could result in disciplinary proceedings before the Council, which may include suspension or cancellation of a practitioner’s registration or licence, in addition to possible civil or criminal liability.

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Photo showing the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council headquarters. Photo/ KMPDC