Hospitals ordered to update bed capacities, wait for 90 days before appealing downgrades

Health facilities across the country have been directed to follow strict new rules on appealing classification decisions and updating bed capacities, as the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) moves to enforce higher standards in the healthcare system.

In a public notice on Tuesday, KMPDC announced that any appeal following the closure, partial closure or downgrade of a hospital will only be considered 90 days after the decision has taken effect.

This, the council said, gives facilities time to fix all compliance issues before seeking review.

“Appeals arising from the closure, partial closure or downgrade of a health facility shall only be addressed 90 days after the change in status to allow the affected facility to comprehensively address all identified gaps,” the council said.

The council also warned that downgrades or closures affect the operations of several government agencies, and that facilities must stick to their licensed category to avoid unnecessary disruptions within the health system.

KMPDC further clarified that any hospital seeking to revise its bed capacity must submit a formal request for inspection to [email protected] no later than August 8, 2025.

An inspection and verification exercise is already ongoing, and the council said it is handling all submissions in the order they are received.

“Once a request has been submitted, applicants are advised to exercise patience as their matter is scheduled and addressed,” it added.

The council’s move builds on an earlier directive by the Ministry of Health in July 2025, which ordered all hospitals to submit accurate records of their bed capacity to KMPDC. The directive is aimed at reducing overcrowding in hospitals and ensuring patients receive care in conditions that uphold their dignity.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale linked the bed review to SHA funding, warning that hospitals which submit false data or admit more patients than approved would lose access to monthly payments.

“You are directed to procure additional beds without delay and ensure timely availability. I will provide the necessary support. Every Kenyan deserves to receive care with dignity,” Duale said.

He insisted that no hospital would be allowed to admit extra patients without also expanding its physical infrastructure, particularly beds and space.

Duale said overcrowding in hospitals is not just a funding issue, but a matter of human dignity.

“You can’t have three or more people share one bed, and then you go ahead to submit false claims on SHA. The dignity of patients is very important to me… I want to assure you that this will not happen under my watch,” he said

The Health CS described the crackdown as part of a wider plan to strengthen Kenya’s healthcare delivery, calling for full cooperation from hospital managers and boards.

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“We must work constructively to build strong institutions, enhance service delivery, and shape the future of health for generations to come,” he added.

The push for accountability follows a report by KMPDC, which revealed that 728 health facilities had already been shut down, while another 301 had been downgraded for violating licensing rules.

In its latest message, the council thanked stakeholders for their cooperation and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding transparency and accuracy in the classification and regulation of all health facilities in the country.