The KMPDC is set to lose its mandate of registration and classification of health facilities.
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council is a body mandated to ensure the provision of quality and ethical health care through appropriate regulation of training, registration, licensing, inspections and professional practice. It is set to lose some of its function after the National Assembly Health Committee on Health raised concerns over conflict of interest.
Speaking in Mwea during a fact-finding mission on private hospitals, committee vice Patrick Munene the body has failed Kenyans as some hospitals registered and classified as level 4 and 5 do not meet the minimum requirements.
He attributed the problem to a conflict of interest, as doctors who are members of KMPDC own most private facilities. He added that they will recommend that registration of services and professionals be left with KMPDC but classification and inspection be given to another body.
Munene also raised concerns about how easily such private hospitals got NHIF funds compared to public hospitals. This sentiment was initially echoed by Mwea MP Mary Maingi. Ms Maingi questioned the possibility of 29 surgeries in a day in a small private hospital.
Another health committee Member Cythia Muge said separation will be the only option to ensure seamless services in the health sector.