158 Health Facilities Shut Down After National Inspection
At least 158 health facilities across the country have been shut down after a wide-reaching inspection conducted by several health regulatory bodies working with county governments.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) confirmed the closures on Thursday, August 28, explaining that the move was aimed at eliminating health centers that were operating illegally or below the set medical standards.
According to KMPDC, many of the facilities that were shut down had serious problems. Some were not registered or licensed, while others were found to be offering medical services without the required approvals.
In addition, several facilities were being run by practitioners who themselves were unlicensed or unregistered, raising major concerns about patient safety.
“The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, working together with other health regulatory bodies and county governments, has intensified the nationwide inspection of health facilities.
This is being done under the Inspections and Licensing Rules, 2022, which are meant to improve patient safety, prevent unethical medical practices, and ensure Kenyans get quality healthcare,” the council said in a statement.
The inspections revealed that some hospitals lacked essential infrastructure such as functioning pharmacies, maternity units, and laboratories.
Others were flagged for poor sanitation, including improper waste disposal systems, which posed direct risks to patients and the wider community.
The inspection exercise covered a total of 288 facilities. Out of these, 158 were closed, 28 were downgraded to lower service levels, while 105 were found to meet the minimum standards and allowed to continue operating.
The closures were carried out under the Inspections and Licensing Rules, 2022, which were developed under the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act (CAP 253).
These rules set out how health facilities should be regulated, inspected regularly, and required to renew their licenses every year. Facilities that fail to comply risk suspension, downgrading, or permanent closure.
To guide the public, KMPDC announced that it will publish the names of all closed or downgraded health facilities. This will help Kenyans identify which hospitals are safe and licensed to provide treatment.
“This information has also been shared with the National Government Administration Office, county governments, the Social Health Authority, the Digital Health Authority, and other regulatory bodies to make sure that compliance is sustained,” the council added.
The crackdown comes at a time when the health sector in Kenya is facing serious criticism over misuse of public funds.
Billions of shillings allocated to the Social Health Authority (SHA) are suspected to have been channelled to ghost hospitals and facilities with questionable ownership, sparking public outrage.
On Monday, August 25, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale responded to growing pressure from Kenyans, including social media campaigns exposing alleged fraud in the health sector.
Duale noted that healthcare fraud is a global issue, with studies showing it could account for as much as 15 percent of health expenditures worldwide.
In Kenya, the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) estimates that about 30 percent of all medical insurance payouts are linked to fraudulent claims.
Earlier in June, the Social Health Authority suspended 40 health facilities after forensic audits uncovered irregularities. It also announced plans to degazette another 45 facilities accused of engaging in fraudulent activities.
This latest round of closures highlights the government’s renewed focus on ensuring accountability, patient safety, and proper management in the health sector.
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