A law firm has raised concerns over intern doctors and medical students performing medical procedures without supervision at a local hospital.
Speaking to newshub.co.ke over the phone, an advocate from the firm claimed that medical students, intern doctors, and registrars at the hospital were regularly treating patients without oversight from senior medical professionals.
Criticizing the hospital’s handling of the matter, the lawyer argued that allowing unsupervised trainees to perform medical procedures not only violates professional medical standards but also infringes on the constitutional and human rights of patients.
However, when contacted for a response, the hospital declined to comment, stating that it had not yet received any official communication from the law firm regarding the issue.
The advocate confirmed that letters had already been sent to the hospital’s CEO, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) in an effort to have the matter resolved without resorting to legal action.
He explained that the hospital currently has three categories of trainees: medical students who are still in school, intern doctors who have completed their studies and are awaiting licensing, and registrars who are undergoing specialized training.
“The hospital is a teaching facility, meaning that while students are allowed to train, they must always be supervised. Leaving them unattended is unacceptable,” he stated.
In a letter dated February 18, 2025, and addressed to the hospital’s CEO—also copied to KMPDU and KMPDC—the law firm warned that allowing “undertrained or unsupervised” medical practitioners to treat patients could lead to serious health risks and undignified medical experiences.
The advocate further raised concerns about the principle of informed consent, stating that patients have the right to know the qualifications and experience level of the healthcare providers treating them.
“Under Article 35 of the Constitution, every citizen has the right to access information held by the state or any other institution. This includes details about their healthcare providers and their level of expertise,” he explained.
The lawyer urged the hospital’s CEO to enforce strict policies ensuring that all intern doctors and registrars are under the direct supervision of qualified senior medical staff at all times.
Additionally, he called for the hospital to establish clear guidelines that would ensure patients are fully informed about the qualifications of the medical personnel attending to them.
The law firm also demanded that the hospital conduct a full review of its current supervision practices and submit a report within 30 days outlining the steps taken to improve oversight.
“Failure to take appropriate action could lead to further legal steps, including filing complaints with relevant medical regulatory authorities, initiating lawsuits over negligence, and pushing for broader reforms through legal and public advocacy,” the lawyer warned.
Join Gen Z official Whatsapp Channel To Stay Updated On time the ongoing situation https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
