The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, (KMPDC) has asked Kenyans to be vigilant following a surge of individuals pretending to be doctors online.
This comes amid rising concerns over the increasing number of unqualified doctors offering medical advice to Kenyans on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
In a statement issued on Thursday, February 6, KMPDC highlighted various online platforms where individuals posing as medical professionals offer misleading medical advice and treatments to unsuspecting users.
The council warned that these self-proclaimed doctors pose a serious threat to public health, as their diagnoses and treatment recommendations are frequently based on unverified or outdated information, resulting in misdiagnoses, delayed care, or worsening of existing health conditions.
Using the title “Doctor” without proper qualifications is illegal and can result in a Kshs 5 million fine, a five-year prison sentence, or both.
The same warning applies to individuals posing as dental professionals, with KMPDC emphasizing that they face a fine of Kshs 5 million, a five-year prison sentence, or both.
“Further, it is an offense under Section 22 (2) of CAP 253, Laws of Kenya, to use the title Dr (Medical/dental) without the requisite qualifications or to purport to offer medical/dental services while using this title.
This offense carries the penalties of a fine not exceeding KES 5,000,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both,” the statement read.
How To Tell If Your Doctor Is a Genuine Practitioner
KMPDC advised the public to verify the credentials of doctors and health facilities through its official registers.
The commission’s official register is on https://kmpdc.go.ke/Registers/practitioners.php
Additionally, Kenyans can verify via SMS to 20547.
1.To verify a doctor, send: P#Full Name of Practitioner or P#Registration Number
2.To verify a health facility, send: H#Full Name of Facility or Registration Number
KMPDC urged the media to raise awareness and promote the dissemination of accurate information to help combat misinformation and disinformation.
Kenya has had a history of fake doctors, which has had devastating consequences, including the deaths of unsuspecting patients.
In 2016, Ronald Melly, a fake doctor from Nandi County was arrested for conducting surgical procedures without proper qualifications.
He was apprehended at the KMPDC offices in Nandi County after being tricked into appearing to renew his “permanent” medical license.
Melly claimed to have performed eight successful operations, with only one patient death at the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital. He was even promoted to head the Meteitei Sub-County Hospital.
