MPs probe 'Body by Design' clinic after fatal cosmetic surgery

The National Assembly has launched an investigation into the Body by Design clinic in Nairobi following the death of Lucy Ng'ang'a, a 47-year-old woman who died after a botched cosmetic surgery.

This inquiry, led by the Health Committee, aims to uncover the circumstances surrounding Ng'ang'a's death and determine whether the clinic and others like it meet regulatory standards.

Lucy Ng'ang'a, the wife of prominent businessman Francis Ng'ang'a Mundia, reportedly checked into the Body by Design facility on October 16, 2024, for a cosmetic procedure. Four days after her discharge, she passed away due to complications allegedly stemming from the surgery.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) subsequently closed the clinic, citing non-compliance with essential medical standards and patient safety regulations.

Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi raised the issue at the National Assembly on Wednesday, urging an investigation not only into the details of Ng'ang'a's case but also into the broader cosmetic surgery industry in Kenya.

Elachi called for a thorough review of Body by Design's licensing and an evaluation of whether it and similar clinics adhere to regulatory standards set by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).

"This is not the first time a woman has lost her life due to a surgical mishap. Many clinics engage in these practices, drawing clients with online ads that promise services like breast augmentation, leg shaping, and hair restoration," Elachi said.

The lawmaker questioned whether Body by Design, registered under Omnicare Medical Ltd, was legally permitted to perform such procedures and if the doctors involved were qualified.

Doctors' qualifications

Elachi also urged the Health Committee, chaired by Endebes MP Dr Robert Pukose, to confirm the qualifications of the doctors who performed the surgery on Ng'ang'a, examine the measures in place to assure quality and safety, and investigate actions to prevent future incidents.

Pukose echoed these concerns, lamenting the surge of clinics offering cosmetic surgeries without proper accreditation or qualified personnel.

"Breast reduction, augmentation, and other cosmetic surgeries should be handled by qualified professionals approved by the Kenya Medical and Dental Council," he stated.

"These practitioners need oversight because Kenyans trust their lives in these facilities, only to suffer or lose their lives due to negligence," Pukose added.

Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai urged the committee to compile a list of accredited doctors who can safely perform cosmetic surgeries.

"People are suffering from inadequate regulations and a lack of oversight on who is qualified to carry out these procedures," she said.

In response to the growing concerns, KMPDC began its investigation into Body by Design's compliance with health standards.

The facility, located in Nairobi's Lavington area, was temporarily closed by KMPDC and the Ministry of Health for not meeting the required standards.

The council has called for statements from the medical practitioners who treated Ng'ang'a.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has also joined the probe, with detectives from the Homicide Unit visiting the facility on Wednesday.

They collected CCTV footage and other materials as part of an effort to understand the events from October 16 to 22. Officials said the medical staff involved in Ng'ang'a's procedure had been summoned for questioning at DCI headquarters.

Despite the controversy, Body by Design maintains its innocence.

Represented by lawyer Danstan Omari, the clinic insists that Ng'ang'a received appropriate and professional care.

"There is always a medical criterion that, once you have a perforated intestine, the maximum survival time is 12 hours. From when she left here, it took her another four days to pass on," Omari said.

He suggested that Ng'ang'a's death was beyond the clinic's control, attributing it to unforeseen complications.