Let's all be alert to weed out bogus health practitioners

After the story of a bogus gynaecologist operating in Nairobi hit the news headlines, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board has come out to clarify that the suspect is not a registered doctor.

The suspect is alleged to operate multiple clinics in Kahawa West and Githurai 44 in Nairobi without licence from both the medical board and the county government.

It is true that most of the health centres, which mostly target the residents of informal settlements, are dens of immorality and deaths. But it beats logic how such clinics are allowed to operate without proper documentation.

The Government and other regulatory bodies are used to being reactive in times of tragedy.

The National Police Service Commission was active in carrying out a staff audit after it was revealed that an impostor called Joshua Waiganjo was a high ranking officer in the police force. He even attended very sensitive security meetings and operations which could have exposed the country to serious security threats.

Also, the National Construction Authority and county governments got an awaking call after a trend of collapsing buildings with rogue engineers and contractors putting lives at risk. After the cases settled, they forgot about carrying out the audit again until last Sunday when a six-storey building under construction collapsed in Ongata Rongai killing two people.

Now, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board and the county government have now acted on the alleged rape. The county government stated that the alleged health centres did not get authorisation from them to operate. The county came up with a website and a possible short message service number for patients to check whether the clinics they seek medical services are registered. This was overdue as health is a very sensitive matter.

It is evident that most of the clinics in Kenya do not meet the required standards.

Recently, there was a public outcry following a report that most parents are procuring abortion and contraceptives for their teenage girls. Most of these services are offered by bogus medics.

We must also be worried as in most cases, Kenyans are pushed by circumstances to seek health services from these facilities. Like now, health services have been paralysed in most counties following the strikes by the health officers. I can’t imagine the threat we are exposed to now.

It’s high time everybody became alert and cautious while visiting facilities offering health services. If we continue relying on the Government and other regulatory bodies, we will be in for a big shock. Most of these institutions wait until a tragedy arises for them to act.

As a precaution, husbands should accompany their wives whenever they go to gynaecologists for check up or for delivery services. It is common practice in most European countries.

Second option is to trust only female gynaecologists, although most women prefer male gynaecologists. After the Citizen TV exposé, it’s now crystal clear that one can’t trust a male gynaecologist with his wife. Although the reported scenario cannot be used to stereotype all male gynaecologists, a phobia has already been created.

Another option is for the Ministry of Health to work closely with the county health departments in flushing out bogus health practitioners.

The Government and other regulatory bodies should be proactive on matters that are likely to pose tragedies in Kenya.