Nairobi, March 12- The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has issued a six-month deadline for health facilities operating in restricted areas to relocate, warning that non-compliance will lead to closure.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the council identified petrol stations and residential buildings as unsuitable locations for healthcare services. It emphasized that the move is aimed at ensuring a safe and conducive environment for both patients and the surrounding community.
KMPDC raised concerns about the heightened risk of infection spread and significant safety hazards in such locations. It cited dangers such as exposure to flammable materials, poor infrastructure, and disruptions that could compromise patient care as key reasons for the directive.
The notice follows a recent directive from the Ministry of Health (MoH) instructing KMPDC to shut down all unregistered aesthetic clinics and beauty spas operating illegally. This came after an inspection of clinics offering plastic surgery and other invasive cosmetic procedures in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Eldoret.
Findings from the assessment revealed that while 77% of these facilities complied with regulations, 23% failed to meet the required legal standards. The crackdown was partly prompted by the death of a patient who underwent a cosmetic procedure at a Nairobi clinic late last year.
In response, the ministry is working on a comprehensive regulatory framework to enhance oversight of invasive cosmetic treatments in both medical and beauty spas, aiming to improve safety and compliance.
