KMPDU Flags Patient Safety Risks in Kiambu Hospitals

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has raised an alarm over the critical state of healthcare in Kiambu County, attributing it to a severe shortage of doctors and the reliance on medical interns. Speaking on Friday, October 3, 2025, KMPDU Central Kenya Regional Secretary, Bill Muriuki, highlighted that interns deployed by the Ministry of Health to various facilities in the county pose a significant health threat to patients.

Muriuki underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “You would rather go to a hospital and find it closed rather than have incompetent personnel and lose a life. Health is a very critical matter.” He further cautioned against the dangers of patients being treated by inexperienced personnel who recently completed their studies, labelling it a "great crime."

Context of Kenya's Doctor Shortage

Kenya has faced persistent challenges in its healthcare sector, including a significant shortage of medical professionals. The doctor-to-patient ratio in Kenya remains below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of 1 doctor per 1,000 people. According to a 2023 report by the Ministry of Health, the national average stands at approximately 1 doctor per 5,000 people, exacerbating the strain on public health facilities. This deficit often leads to overstretched medical staff and compromises the quality of care, particularly in devolved health services at the county level.

Policy and Regulatory Framework for Medical Interns

Medical internships in Kenya are a mandatory one-year period of supervised clinical practice for medical graduates, essential for full registration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC). The Ministry of Health is responsible for the posting and remuneration of these interns. While internships are crucial for practical training, KMPDU's concerns highlight a potential gap in the supervision and appropriate deployment of interns, especially in situations where they might be filling critical staffing gaps beyond their intended training role. The KMPDC's guidelines stipulate that interns must work under the direct supervision of a fully registered and experienced medical practitioner.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Calls for Clarity

The KMPDU's stance reflects a broader concern among medical professionals about patient safety and the quality of healthcare services. The union advocates for adequate staffing by fully qualified doctors to ensure optimal patient outcomes. On the other hand, the Ministry of Health often faces budgetary constraints and logistical challenges in deploying sufficient medical personnel across all public health facilities. Analysts suggest that this development could significantly influence public debate and policy execution, with stakeholders urging for greater clarity on timelines, costs, and safeguards related to the deployment of medical interns.

Evidence and Data

• KMPDU Central Kenya Regional Secretary, Bill Muriuki, stated concerns on Friday, October 3, 2025.
• The doctor-to-patient ratio in Kenya is approximately 1:5,000, significantly below the WHO recommendation of 1:1,000.
• Medical internships are a mandatory one-year period for graduates to gain practical experience under supervision.

Risks and Implications

The reliance on interns to fill critical staffing gaps poses several risks. Primarily, it could compromise patient safety due to the interns' limited experience. It also places undue pressure on the interns themselves, potentially hindering their learning process and increasing the risk of medical errors. For the healthcare system, this practice could erode public trust and further strain the relationship between medical professionals and the government.

Unknowns

The exact number of medical interns currently deployed in Kiambu County hospitals and the specific nature of their unsupervised duties remain unclear. The Ministry of Health's official response to KMPDU's concerns and any proposed measures to address the doctor shortage in Kiambu are also pending.

What to Watch

Attention will be on the Ministry of Health's response to KMPDU's allegations and any policy adjustments regarding the deployment and supervision of medical interns. The ongoing dialogue between medical unions and the government on addressing the broader doctor shortage across Kenya will also be a key area to monitor.