Hospitals exploiting foreign doctors for unethical gains, says KMPDU

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has called for an inquiry into the licensing and recruitment processes of foreign medical professionals.

The union raised concerns over potential unethical conduct and organ trafficking within private healthcare institutions.

The union has raised concerns about certain private and mission hospitals in the country hiring foreign doctors, claiming these practitioners are vulnerable to manipulation due to poor working conditions.

They also allege that these doctors are being pressured into performing unethical procedures, including organ harvesting.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) reports that over 1,655 foreign medical professionals are currently employed in Kenya, primarily in private hospitals located in major urban areas.

Dr. Davji Atellah, the Secretary General, further claimed that some of the foreign doctors working in Kenya have had their medical licenses revoked in their home countries.

He also issued a call for the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to take immediate action against such practices to ensure the safety of Kenyans seeking medical care.

"We’ve discovered that certain private and mission hospitals have become experts in exploiting foreign doctors, bringing them into the country, confiscating their passports, and subjecting them to extremely poor working conditions. These doctors are being manipulated into performing unethical procedures," Atellah told the media.

The union is urging the KMPDC to conduct an audit of the recruitment processes in private healthcare facilities.

KMPDU emphasized that the council should ensure foreign doctors are hired through legitimate channels, verify their credentials, and closely monitor the services they provide.

The union has raised alarms about the connection between the hiring of foreign doctors and illegal organ trafficking, arguing that the ongoing illicit trade is tied to the lack of transparency in the licensing process for foreign medical practitioners.

"These doctors, who are often involved in these unethical activities like organ trafficking, don’t face the same risks as local doctors. A local doctor would have their license revoked by the KMPDC, but these foreign practitioners are more vulnerable to being coerced into meeting the demands of their employers," added Atella.

"There have also been recent reports of a hospital opening in Parklands, operated by individuals previously banned in India. This reflects a worrying level of leniency from the KMPDC. We strongly oppose this profit-driven system that thrives on exploiting vulnerable migrant workers."

Following an order from the Ministry of Health's Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has been directed to cease the approval of new foreign medical practitioners, with the sole exception of those from East African Community (EAC) member states.

CS Duale also instructed that all currently licensed foreign medical professionals in Kenya submit a detailed report to his office within 90 days.

Additionally, the CS has established an independent investigative committee to review tissue and organ transplant services in the country.