According to the council, the so-called doctors pose a significant risk to public health
Individuals pretending to be doctors to provide Kenyans with false medical advice on social media have been put on the spot. The government, through the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, (KMPDC) has expressed concern about the growing number of unqualified doctors giving Kenyans advice on social media platforms.
KMPDC in a statement on Thursday, February 6 cited several online platforms where individuals claiming to be medical professionals provide false medical advice and treatment to unsuspecting users.
According to the council, the so-called doctors pose a significant risk to public health, as their diagnoses and treatment plans are often based on unverified or outdated information, leading to misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, or even exacerbating underlying health conditions.
KMPDC thus emphasized that it is illegal for anyone to use the title of a doctor without proper qualifications. Individuals engaging in this unethical practice were cautioned that they could face a fine of Ksh5 million.
Social media apps on a phone. /SEARCH ENGINE LAND
“Section 22 (3) of the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act CAP 253, Laws of Kenya states that Any person who uses the title “doctor” unless he is registered or licensed under this Act as a medical practitioner or dentist or has acquired doctoral qualifications or has obtained such qualifications which entitles him to use that title, commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both,” the statement read in part.
The council also warned individuals against using the title ‘Dr’, be it medical or dental, without the necessary qualifications or claim to offer medical and/or dental services while under the same title.
“Further, it is an offense under Section 22 (2) of CAP 253, Laws of Kenya, to use the title Dr (Medical/dental) without the requisite qualifications or to purport to offer medical/dental services while using this title. This offense carries the penalties of a fine not exceeding KES 5,000,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both,” added the statement.
How To Check If A Doctor Is Legitimate
Members of the public have been strongly encouraged to verify the authenticity of doctors and health facilities through the KMPDC registers at https://kmpdc.go.ke/Registers/practitioners.php or via SMS to 20547
- To verify a doctor, send: P#Full Name of Practitioner or P#Registration Number
- To verify a health facility, send: H#Full Name of Facility or Registration Number
KMPDC also urged journalists and publishers to use these free resources to ensure accurate information is disseminated and to help combat misinformation and disinformation.
This notice by KMPDC is aimed at ensuring that Kenyans get accurate information regarding their health from qualified medical professionals, and in an age where information is just a click away.
From everyday ailments to complex and serious diseases, viruses etc as well as injuries and, wounds among others, today’s world has intensified demand for information that can be instantly accessed, even using hourly data bundles, creating an avenue for quacks to infiltrate the space and sell misleading health information to unsuspecting internet users.
One case of quack doctors which made headlines in recent memory is that of James Mugo Ndichu, a fake doctor popularly known as Mugo wa Wairimu. On November 17, 2022, he was sentenced to 29 years in prison after he was found guilty of running a medical clinic illegally. He was found to have practised medicine without the required academic qualifications.
“He is a danger to society instead of using the knowledge he says he acquired to improve society he went ahead by purporting to be a gynaecologist and administering drugs to them,” Milimani Law Courts magistrate Wendy Muchemi ruled, advocating for Mugo to be locked up for a long time.
She added that Mugo had abused his qualified skills from the University of Nairobi to administer drugs to engage in sexual activities with patients.
Quack Doctor Mugo wa Wairimu in court. /PEOPLE DAILY