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MPs call for new body to monitor private hospital operations by public doctors

A file picture of doctors at the Kenyatta National Hospital. (Photo: Simon Maina/ Getty Images/ AFP)

By Apollo Ochieng | Tuesday, February 13, 2024

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health says many doctors assigned to public hospitals also run and practise medicine in private institutions, hence a conflict of interest.

Parliamentarians have called for the establishment of an independent regulatory body to monitor private hospital operations across the country, to eliminate cases of conflict of interest that hamper the provision of quality services.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health noted on Tuesday that many doctors assigned to public hospitals also run and practise medicine in private institutions, hence the need to separate professional health facility registration, accreditation and supervision.

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Committee Vice Chairperson Patrick Munene noted the urgent need to establish the body as the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has in the past been accused of failing to rein in medical practitioners running private health facilities while also working in the public sector.

Munene, who is the Chuka-Igambang'ombe MP, said the body would license and regulate private hospitals and clinics across the country.

The KMPDC regulates the training, practice and licensing of medicine, dentistry and healthcare institutions. This includes the practice of medicine in private and mission hospitals, medical, and dental centres and clinics, nursing and maternity homes, and independent funeral homes.

"Medicine is a profession. The registration and supervision of health facilities cannot be done by the KMPDC. It is a great conflict of interest for the KMPDC to be given the mandate of licensing health facilities because most health facilities are owned by medical doctors," Munene said.

"Doctors are fully paid members of the KMPDC so they are checking facilities for their members. We will recommend that the registration of services and professionals be left with the KMPDC, and the classification and inspection mandate be given to a different body. You cannot referee your team. If you referee the same team you coach, there is a problem as you will favour your team."

The committee toured health facilities in counties including Nairobi, Murang'a, Meru, Embu, Nakuru, Nyandarua, and Uasin Gishu.

In 2019, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board said any public doctor wishing to offer services at a private clinic would have to obtain the permission of the current employer.

Before that, doctors were allowed to obtain part-time licences from the board, showing they would work in private establishments on weekends or after hours. The board noted at the time that doctors were violating the rules.

Last year, medics opposed the Conflict of Interest Bill, 2019, which addressed the matter, saying it would negatively affect their careers and patient care.

The Bill stated that a public officer seeking any form of private practice would seek permission from the employer and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah then introduced The Conflict of Interest Bill, 2023, which is to be debated this year.