KMPDU Calls Out KMPDC Amid Rising Ethical Concerns, Alleged Organ Smuggling
- KMPDU has demanded an urgent audit and investigation into the licensing and recruitment of over 1,655 foreign doctors in Kenya, citing concerns over unethical practices
- The union claimed that foreign doctors had worked under exploitative contracts that bypassed ethical standards, putting patient safety at risk and subjecting doctors to labour mistreatment
- KMPDU secretary general Davji Atellah called for a comprehensive policy on healthcare recruitment that prioritises local talent
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Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Nairobi - The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) is demanding an urgent audit and investigation into the continued licensing and recruitment of foreign medical practitioners by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and private healthcare providers.
Source: Facebook
Why does KMPDU demand an audit on foreign doctors?
This call comes in response to growing concerns over unethical medical practices, including alleged organ smuggling within the country.
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According to a press statement witnessed by TUKO.co.ke, KMPDU secretary general Davji Atellah stated that over 1,655 foreign doctors, primarily from Asia, are practising in Kenya, mainly in private hospitals catering to wealthy clients and the middle class.
KMPDU has raised alarm over the exploitative contracts that foreign practitioners are often subjected to, claiming that such contracts bypass ethical standards, expose doctors to dangerous working conditions, and lead to unethical practices that endanger patient safety.
"Medical practitioners are brought to the country, contracted and hired through practices that circumvent ethical and professional standards. The poor labour practices force many to engage in unethical practices that put patients’ lives at risk. As a result, they too are victims of systemic mistreatment bordering on labour traffic," the statement read in part.
The union also criticised the government for allowing over 4,000 qualified Kenyan doctors to remain unemployed while prioritising foreign medical practitioners.
KMPDU had previously raised concerns about illegal organ smuggling linked to global syndicates, which is now believed to be connected to the non-transparent recruitment of foreign doctors.
What does KMPDU demand from government?
In light of these concerns, Atellah stated that they support the recent directive by the Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale to freeze the licensing of foreign doctors.
The union is calling for a comprehensive audit of recruitment practices in private healthcare institutions, demanding verification of qualifications, compliance with ethical standards, and transparency regarding the areas of genuine skill shortages in Kenya.
Source: Original
They also seek an audit of the employment conditions for foreign doctors to ensure compliance with Kenyan labour laws.
Furthermore, KMPDU advocates for the development of a comprehensive policy on the recruitment and licensing of foreign healthcare practitioners that prioritises local talent, skills development, and retention.
The union has also called for vacant positions resulting from the audits to be filled through a transparent, competitive process with qualified Kenyan doctors.
KMPDU has urged government leaders to treat this as a critical public health issue, stressing the need for immediate action to safeguard patient safety, protect professional integrity, and ensure accessible healthcare for all Kenyans as guaranteed under the Constitution.
What did Mediheal Hospital say about organ smuggling?
Meanwhile, the vice president of Mediheal Hospital, Maryline Limo, refuted claims that the facility profits from organ donors.
She clarified that the hospital’s revenue comes strictly from services rendered to patients and that all legal protocols, including signed donor affidavits, are followed.
This comes after media reports alleged that recipients paid up to KSh 25.9 million for kidney transplants at the facility.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
