KMPDC becomes the 1st African healthcare regulatory body to be accredited
The accreditation of Kenya Medical Practitioners and Doctors Council (KMPDC) to ISO/IEC 17024:2012 marks a significant milestone in Kenya's healthcare sector as the medical practitioner's body becomes the premier healthcare regulator on the continent to get its Registration & Licensing of medical, and dental practitioners and community oral health officers scheme accredited. The auspicious ceremonial certificate handing over event held at the KMPDC complex was graced by the Chairman of the Council, Prof. Stanley Khainga, the CEO Dr. David Kariuki, members of the Council, and staff members.
Also invited to the event were KENAS CEO, Dr Walter Ongeti, Manager Certifications, Mr. Michael Talam, and other staff members, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah, the Deputy Secretary General Dr. Dennis Miskellah, Kenya Medical Association Hon. President Dr. Simon Kingondu, representatives from the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians & Technologists Board, National Cancer Institute amongst others.
The ISO/IEC 17024:2012 standard is an internationally recognized benchmark for the certification of persons. This accreditation signifies KMPDC's commitment to operating its registration & licensing processes for Medical Practitioners, Dental Practitioners, and Community Oral Health Officers at the highest global standards. KMPDC Chairperson, Stanley Khainga, highlighted the ongoing nature of this achievement: "As we move forward with ISO 17024:2012, let us remember that this is not just a one-time achievement but an ongoing commitment to excellence. We must continue to uphold the principles of this standard in all certification activities, striving for continuous improvement and innovation."
In his speech, the KMPDC CEO emphasized the importance of this accreditation: "ISO 17024:2012 enhances the credibility of our registration and licensing process by providing a robust framework for developing and maintaining them. This, in turn, increases the value and recognition of the certifications we offer, both within the country and internationally." This achievement by KMPDC is not just a win for the Council but for the entire healthcare ecosystem in Kenya. Accreditation positions KMPDC as a leader in healthcare registration and licensing not just in Kenya, but across the region. It aligns with the government's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals under the BETA agenda, ensuring that healthcare professionals meet the highest standards of competence.
The KENAS CEO, Dr. Walter Ongeti expressed joy in KMPDC's achievement, noting that it represents a significant step forward in ensuring the quality and reliability in the provision of healthcare services by registered and licensed professionals in Kenya. He lauded the healthcare regulatory body for being a benchmark in Africa. This move ensures that medical practitioners registered by the Council can offer their services across borders without being subjected to rigorous competence reviews.
KENAS contributes to the achievement of universal health coverage as accreditation makes processes credible, predictable, and reproducible. We continue to play a larger role in the healthcare space through the accreditation of medical laboratories, in addition to the accreditation of regulators of different categories of personnel who are mandated by respective regulations to be registered and licensed. KMPDCU could soon consider extension of scope to other functional areas. As the government tries to reduce the healthcare workers gap, the quality of healthcare professionals remains very important.
