The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) and the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS) have rejected the practice of clinical officers and other unauthorised personnel conducting caesarean section procedures, stressing that these medical professionals are not qualified to perform such operations.
In a joint press statement dated February 20, 2025, KMA Secretary General Diana Marion and KOGS President Dr Kireki Omanwa pointed out that allowing these medical professionals to conduct caesarean sections breaches medical practices, established legal frameworks, and global patient safety guidelines.
According to the two organisations, nurses and clinical officers lack the required surgical training, accreditation, and oversight to conduct obstetric and gynecologic surgeries. Allowing them to perform such procedures without supervision may put the lives of both the mother and newborn at risk.
"In recent times, there have been increasing demands by clinical officers and other allied healthcare providers to independently conduct surgical procedures, including caesarean sections," the statement read.
"While we recognise the critical role that all healthcare providers play in delivering services to our population, we must unequivocally state that surgery, particularly obstetric and gynaecologic surgery, requires highly specialised training, rigorous and continuous competency assessment, and strict adherence to globally accepted medical and surgical safety standards," the statement read.
Caesarean section, or C-section birth, is the surgical delivery of a baby through an incision made in the mother's abdomen and uterus when it is deemed that vaginal delivery is not possible or safe.
As of 2021, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), caesarean section surgeries have been on the rise over the past three decades and account for more than 1 in 5 (21%) of all childbirths, a number that is set to increase by 2030.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, births through C-section have almost doubled in the past eight years, rising from nine per cent in 2014 to 17 per cent in 2022.
Acknowledging the increasing need for clinical officers and nurses to perform this procedure, the organisations have urged the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to ensure that all such procedures are carried out by accredited and qualified professionals.
However, acknowledging the rising need for clinical officers and nurses to conduct these procedures, the organisations have urged the ministry to facilitate the training of those who wish to perform such procedures through formal medical schools.
The organisations have further emphasised the need for health stakeholder engagement in case of any proposed changes in medical practice.
"KMA and KOGS call upon the Ministry of Health, Parliament, and all relevant stakeholders to uphold professional standards by ensuring that any modifications to healthcare practice are backed by scientific evidence and rigorous competency-based training, rather than political negotiations," it stated.
