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The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has called for an urgent investigation into the recruitment and licensing of foreign medical practitioners in the country.
The union is concerned about rising unethical practices, including organ trafficking, in private hospitals that employ many of these foreign doctors.
The union said more than 1,655 foreign medical practitioners work in Kenya, mainly in private hospitals in major cities.
The doctors are often hired under exploitative contracts, particularly those from Asian countries, according to KMPDU.
The union described the working conditions for these practitioners as dangerous and noted that poor labour practices contribute to unethical medical practices that endanger patients.
"We stand firmly against this profit-driven practice underpinned by the exploitation of vulnerable migrant workers," said KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah, who was accompanied by Deputy Chairman Dr. Kahura Mundia and Deputy Secretary General Dr. Miskellah Dennis at a press conference on April 26.
"It is an insult that qualified Kenyan medical professionals remain unemployed while foreign doctors are recruited under questionable conditions," he added.
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The union is calling on the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to audit the recruitment practices of private institutions.
They want to know how foreign doctors are hired, whether their qualifications are properly verified, and what services they are providing.
KMPDU has also raised concerns about the link between the recruitment of foreign doctors and illegal organ trafficking. The union claimed that the ongoing illicit organ trade in the country is directly connected to the non-transparent licensing of foreign medical practitioners.
"The now-confirmed illegal, unethical, and dangerous trafficking of organs is directly linked to the non-transparent and dubious licensing and recruitment of foreign medical practitioners," Atellah added.
Atellah noted that KMPDU supports Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale's recent directive to freeze the licensing of foreign doctors.
Duale has formed a committee of experts to investigate allegations of organ trafficking at Mediheal Hospital and promised that those responsible for the illegal activities would face consequences.
The union also demanded an audit of the employment conditions of foreign medical practitioners to ensure compliance with Kenyan labour laws.
The union called for the development of a comprehensive policy on the recruitment of non-Kenyan healthcare practitioners, with a focus on prioritising local talent and skills development.
The concerns over unethical practices have gained traction following recent reports of organ trafficking at Mediheal Hospital in Eldoret.
The hospital has been accused of facilitating illegal organ trade, which has sparked public outrage.
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