Government Plans New Police Unit to Regulate Medical Practice After Kawangware Death
The government is planning to establish a new specialised police unit to strictly enforce compliance within the medical profession, following the tragic death of Amos Isoka after an alleged botched dental procedure.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale revealed the plan while addressing the media during a press briefing on Sunday, January 18.
According to Duale, the proposed unit will focus on identifying, arresting, and prosecuting unqualified and unlicensed individuals who are illegally operating as healthcare practitioners across the country.
He stressed that the government will no longer tolerate “quick doctors” who have not undergone proper medical training or received legal approval to practice.
The Health CS explained that the unit will also play a key role in overseeing operations under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Its mandate will include investigating and stopping fraudulent schemes where dishonest individuals and medical facilities are accused of siphoning public funds meant for healthcare services.
Duale warned that those exploiting Kenyans through fake claims and fraud within SHA will be firmly dealt with.
The Ministry of Health has confirmed that it is working closely with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to conduct thorough investigations into the incident that led to Isoka’s death.
Duale said all individuals involved, including those running illegal medical facilities, will be arrested and held fully accountable.
“If you are a fake healthcare practitioner who is not licensed and never went to medical school, like the one who mishandled our patient, I am warning you to stop immediately and leave this business,” Duale said firmly.
He added that the government is determined to crack down on medical fraud and restore public trust in the healthcare system.
The Health CS further disclosed that the ministry is planning to form a dedicated anti-fraud police unit that will not only target illegal medical practitioners but also investigate fraud cases linked to SHA.
He noted that some people have been opening fake facilities or manipulating the system to steal public money, and such actions will no longer be allowed.
In addition, Duale assured the family of the deceased that Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) will waive all medical bills incurred during Isoka’s treatment.
He said the move is part of government policy, similar to how KNH handles cases involving victims of protests or other national incidents.
“Tomorrow morning, I will instruct KNH to clear all the hospital bills for our late brother who was mishandled by an unqualified doctor,” Duale stated. “This is the same approach we take when patients are admitted due to injuries from protests or other unfortunate events.”
Amos Isoka died on Thursday, January 15, while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital. His health problems began days earlier after undergoing a tooth extraction at a local clinic in Kawangware, which is now suspected to have been carried out under unsafe conditions.
After his condition worsened, Isoka sought further treatment at Wema Hospital. Doctors there reportedly raised concerns that the infection could have been caused by the use of unsterilised dental equipment during the initial procedure. Due to the severity of his condition, he was later referred to KNH for specialised care.
Isoka was admitted at KNH for about a week, but his health continued to deteriorate. He later developed serious chest complications and breathing difficulties, which ultimately led to his death.
His wife recounted the painful final moments, saying doctors informed her that Amos required chest surgery after developing pressure-related complications. “He stopped breathing and was rushed for CPR, but sadly, he passed away at around 11 p.m.,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has confirmed that the clinic where the botched dental procedure was carried out had been operating illegally.
The revelation has intensified calls for stricter regulation and enforcement within the healthcare sector to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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