This archive report was first published on 22 October 2019.
Kenya's Ministry of Health has taken a significant step in ensuring the safety and quality of healthcare services by closing down 811 substandard clinics and hospitals.
The directive, issued after a comprehensive inspection from February last year to last month, aims to rid the healthcare sector of unqualified and unregistered service providers.
According to Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board CEO Daniel Yumbya, 245 of the targeted institutions have since complied with the minimum standards and been cleared to reopen.
However, the closure of these facilities raises questions about the effectiveness of previous inspections and the role of corruption in allowing substandard providers to operate.
Health authorities must ensure that hospitals and clinics are not only registered but also have adequate numbers of qualified personnel to provide quality services.
Enhancing the vetting of applicants and intensifying inspections will be crucial in preventing the recurrence of shoddy facilities and services.
