The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) will no longer collect fees in public hospitals as has been the norm for decades.
This is after the doctors' council was categorized as a semi-autonomous government agency (SAGA) following talks with the government.
The new status will see the council receive funding from the National Treasury for the very first time in over 40 years.
KMPDC Finance Manager CPA Phillip Ole Kamwaro stated that the ceasing of the collection of fees from all public health facilities would account for a 60 percent drop in the income for the agency, with the doctors expected to start receiving funding in the 2021-2022 Financial Year.
“The government has scrapped the fees public health facilities have been paying including inspection and license fees. KMPDC will, however, still continue offering services to the institutions," Kamwaro revealed.
He, however, noted that the Council would continue collecting fees from private health facilities as well as fees from medical and dental practitioners and community oral health officers.
Kamwaro further divulged that government funding would make the regulator financially stable, enabling the organization to focus on its core mandate including regular inspections of health facilities, medical and dental schools, and internship training centres in the country.
With the financial input, the council would be better placed to further strengthen its inspections of health facilities and step up systems in determining cases of alleged medical malpractice all over Kenya.
“The funding from Treasury couldn’t have come at a better time. The government has already rolled out Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and KMPDC plays a critical role in UHC.
"The State Corporations Advisory Committee has already ratified the KMPDC organizational structure and we are now awaiting its approval," he explained.
The Finance Manager added that the government funding would accelerate the rate at which the council plans to implement technology-based regulatory services to enhance efficiency and access of services by clients.
"We generate revenue from the fees we levy. The model does not generate enough revenues needed for KMPDC’s optimal performance and at the right time required," Kamwaro stated.
