Patient rights: Understanding, reporting and preventing medical sexual violations

Sexual abuse by healthcare professionals is a global issue, yet its true prevalence remains difficult to determine due to widespread under-reporting. [Courtesy]

In light of increasing reports of sexual abuse by medical professionals, it is crucial for patients to understand their rights, recognise warning signs, and know how to report misconduct. While many healthcare professionals maintain high ethical standards, the unfortunate reality is that some abuse their position of trust.

Sexual abuse by healthcare professionals is a global issue, yet its true prevalence remains difficult to determine due to widespread under-reporting. Research suggests that such misconduct is more common than official records indicate. A 2018 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that at least three per cent of physicians face allegations of sexual misconduct during their careers. In Kenya, data from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) shows that between 2019 and 2023, at least 120 cases of sexual misconduct by healthcare professionals were reported.