Economy

Ban on foreign doctors medical camps lifted

med

Health Principal Secretary, Nicholas Muraguri. PHOTO | FILE

The ban on medical camps arranged by foreign doctors in the country has been lifted under tough conditions, including them being free and liable for misdiagnosis.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMPDB) said that all foreign and local organisers who defy the set rules face cancellation of their licences or a jail term.

This follows a gazette notice issued by the board to prevent fleecing of Kenyans through referral to hospitals abroad for treatment that is available locally.

“Organisers must, for instance, provide a professional indemnity cover from a recognised organisation to be used in the case where a claim is made against mistakes or mistreatment of patients during a medical camp,” read the KMPDB Medical Camp Rules, 2016.

The new rules released on Thursday come barely a month after the Health Principal Secretary, Nicholas Muraguri over-ruled the KMPDB’s stand on medical camps.

The board’s decision was reached at after numerous surgical conditions that do not require special operations were referred to India in return for kickbacks of up to Sh200,000 per referral.

It is reported that some select health facilities still conducted the medical camps during the suspension period. The mandate of licensing or lifting a ban on medical camps solely lies with KMPDB.

Unlike before where a medical or dental practitioner (camp director) would only be required to acquire a Sh5,000 licence from the regulator, KMPDB’s new rules require that, among others, a credentialing fees of up to Sh100,000 be paid.

The licence to operate is to be applied in not less than a month before the start of the medical camp.