The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has issued a fresh notice to health institutions and healthcare providers over the performance of major invasive procedures by unqualified personnel.
In a notice on Tuesday, KMPDC Chief Executive Officer Dr David Kariuki reminded health institutions that all major invasive procedures must only be performed by medical and dental practitioners who are duly registered and licensed by the Council.
The practitioners must also operate within the scope of their registration and hold a valid practising licence.
Kariuki said the requirement is intended to protect patients, promote quality healthcare and ensure accountability within health facilities.
He warned that allowing unqualified persons to perform major invasive procedures exposes patients to avoidable harm, undermines professional standards and amounts to an offence under Cap. 253 and other applicable health laws.
“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,” Kariuki said.
The Council further directed health facility managers and administrators not to 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.
KMPDC said health institutions that allow unqualified individuals to perform major invasive procedures could face regulatory action.
The Council said facilities that facilitate the misuse of practitioners’ credentials would be considered to have failed in their duty of care to patients.
Such facilities may face sanctions, including suspension or cancellation of their licences, in accordance with Cap. 253 and applicable regulations.
KMPDC warns practitioners against sharing credentials
The Council also reminded medical and dental practitioners that their professional credentials are personal and must not be shared or used by other people.
These include registration numbers, practising licences, professional stamps, signatures and other related credentials.
KMPDC said practitioners must not lend or share their credentials for purposes of obtaining pre-authorisation from insurers, the Social Health Authority (SHA) or other healthcare payers.
The credentials must also not be used to falsely represent that a procedure will be performed, or has already been performed, by a particular practitioner when that is not the case.
Kariuki warned that practitioners who allow other people to use their credentials could be held personally liable for the consequences.
“Any practitioner who allows another person to use their credentials for pre-authorisation, billing, or related purposes shall be held personally liable. Such conduct may amount to professional misconduct and/or fraud, and may attract disciplinary proceedings before the Council, including suspension or cancellation of registration or licence, in addition to any civil or criminal liability,” he said.
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