The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has issued a six-month relocation notice to health facilities operating in restricted areas, warning that failure to comply will result in closure.
In a statement on Wednesday, the council noted that these restricted areas included petrol stations and residential buildings, which it deemed unsuitable for healthcare operations.
"To provide a safe and conducive environment for both patients and the community, these facilities must relocate within six months. Failure to comply will result in closure," part of the statement read.
KMPDC further highlighted that such locations were not only susceptible to the spread of infections among patients but also posed a significant safety risk.
Safety concerns such as risks from flammable materials, inadequate infrastructure, and disturbances that compromise patient care were also cited as key reasons necessitating the relocation notice.
"Health facilities located in restricted areas, such as petrol stations and residential buildings, are hereby notified that these locations are unsuitable for healthcare operations. This restriction aims to reduce the spread of infections and ensure the safety of patients," part of the statement read.
"Additionally, safety concerns such as risks from flammable materials, inadequate infrastructure, and disturbances that compromise patient care necessitate this directive."
The notice comes barely a month after the Ministry of Health (MoH) directed the KMPDC to shut down all unregistered aesthetic clinics and beauty spas operating illegally.
The directive followed a comprehensive assessment of clinics offering plastic surgery and invasive cosmetic procedures in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Eldoret.
The investigation revealed that while 77 per cent of beauty spas and aesthetic clinics were compliant, 23 per cent still failed to meet the stipulated legal requirements.
Concerns had arisen following the high-profile death of a patient after undergoing a plastic surgery procedure at a Nairobi clinic late last year.
As a result, the ministry is developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for invasive cosmetic procedures in beauty and medical spas to enhance public safety and compliance.
