Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has shut down 511 private health facilities across Mandera, Nairobi, and Wajir counties following a phased countrywide inspection.
The exercise conducted in consultation with the Ministry of Health also resulted in 267 facilities being downgraded for failing to meet service requirements.
Additionally, 31 individuals were arrested for operating unregistered or illegal health services.
KMPDC CEO Dr David Kariuki said most closed facilities lacked sufficient infrastructure, including adequate space for departments such as pharmacy, maternity, and laboratory.
“Poor sanitation and environmental conditions like inadequate water supply, sanitation facilities, or waste disposal systems were noted. Some facilities had unregistered medical personnel working which poses a serious risk to patient safety and undermines the credibility of healthcare services. Some were operating without valid licenses,” he said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
KMPDC further indicated that facilities that were downgraded failed to provide the full range of services they were registered to provide due to insufficient medical supplies, nonfunctional equipment, or shortage of qualified staff such as doctors, nurses, clinical officers, laboratory technicians and pharmacists.
“These gaps meant they could not safely or effectively deliver the services expected at its designated level,” said Dr. Kariuki.
KMPDC called on all health facilities to cooperate by remaining open during their registered operating hours as the nationwide inspection continues.
“Facilities found closed during expected operating times will be considered inactive, closed, and removed from the official register,” the council warned.
