Counties to partner with MoH in crackdown on unlicensed health facilities

The Council of Governors Health Committee is proposing a crackdown on unscrupulous, unlicensed health facilities, which are blamed for a significant number of deaths resulting from medical negligence.

Consequently, the Chairperson of the Council of Governors Health Committee and Tharaka Nithi Governor, Muthomi Njuki, has announced that counties will collaborate closely with the Ministry of Health to crack down on quack doctors running health facilities across the country. This includes individuals leasing out their licenses to others operating in various parts of the country under the guise of benefiting from government payments.

According to Governor Njuki, the committee has received numerous reports of health facilities operating illegally, often to the detriment of unsuspecting patients who end up receiving substandard care.

Pharmacies are also under increased scrutiny by both national and county governments. Despite their rapid proliferation, many are found to lack the necessary documentation to operate, thereby endangering the lives of patients who rely on them for medical services.

Speaking in Mpukoni, Tharaka Nithi County, during the groundbreaking ceremony for a 40-bed maternal unit at Mpukoni Health Centre, Governor Njuki emphasised the importance of Kenyans being vigilant about the healthcare services they receive at all levels.

He stressed that the current health system, under the Social Health Authority, is designed to guarantee patients access to quality healthcare, with clear avenues for recourse if services fall below expected standards.

The CoG Health Committee Chair has also urged Kenyans to register for the Social Health Authority (SHA), noting that it offers the best opportunity for improved access to healthcare services through an affordable insurance model.

Governor Njuki voiced strong support for the SHA Lipa Pole Pole payment option, emphasising that paying gradually for a full year of coverage is far more cost-effective than incurring high out-of-pocket expenses during a hospital visit without insurance.

He called on those opposed to the new system to consider its long-term benefits, particularly its potential to ease the financial burden of accessing quality healthcare.

Tharaka Nithi County is planning to invest in cancer early detection machines across all its 115 health facilities within the next year.