The Kenyan Ministry of Health has launched a sweeping crackdown on unlicensed aesthetic clinics following a tragic incident at Omnicare Medical Limited, where a patient lost their life during a cosmetic procedure. The event has intensified scrutiny over compliance with safety and licensing regulations, prompting immediate government intervention.
In a statement issued by Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, the Ministry confirmed that a nationwide assessment of aesthetic clinics and beauty spas offering plastic surgery and other invasive procedures had been carried out. The inspections focused on major urban centers, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Eldoret. The goal was to evaluate adherence to medical standards and ensure that public health is safeguarded.
The investigation examined 26 aesthetic clinics, revealing that 20 were operating in compliance with licensing and safety standards. Three had applied for registration and were awaiting approval, while three were found to be operating illegally without proper documentation.
Additionally, 102 beauty spas were assessed, with alarming findings. Seven of these establishments were discovered to be offering invasive cosmetic procedures such as micro-blading and micro-needling without proper registration or qualified personnel. This raised serious concerns about patient safety and the potential for life-threatening complications.
The assessment further highlighted significant gaps in healthcare preparedness at these facilities:
- 40% of the assessed facilities lacked essential emergency medical supplies, putting patients at risk in case of complications.
- 25% of the establishments failed to meet infection prevention and control (IPC) standards, increasing the likelihood of post-procedure infections.
In response to these findings, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has been directed to immediately shut down all unregistered aesthetic clinics operating illegally. Additionally, the Ministry of Health has set compliance deadlines for facilities failing to meet safety standards:
- Clinics with inadequate infection prevention and control measures must implement corrective actions within 30 days.
- Facilities lacking emergency medical supplies have been given 60 days to establish and equip emergency trays to handle potential complications.
- Aesthetic clinics without standard operating procedures (SOPs) must develop and implement them within 60 days to standardize patient care and safety measures.
Furthermore, beauty and medical spas have been strictly prohibited from offering or advertising invasive medical procedures unless they have undergone proper inspection, registration, and licensing.
The crackdown has underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive regulatory framework to govern invasive cosmetic procedures in Kenya. The government has announced plans to develop stringent guidelines to ensure compliance with medical standards while protecting patients from unqualified practitioners.
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regulations, enforcing safety measures, and ensuring all health-related services adhere to the highest standards. This initiative aims to prevent further tragedies like the one at Omnicare Medical Limited and restore public confidence in cosmetic and aesthetic procedures in the country.
As enforcement efforts continue, the government urges the public to seek cosmetic and plastic surgery services only from licensed and qualified practitioners to safeguard their health and well-being.
