Doctors in Kenya face reprimand over misdiagnoses
19 September 2008
Doctors in Kenya are facing disciplinary action over medical mistakes – 50% of which involve misdiagnosing a patient and prescribing inappropriate medication.
Other complaints include overcharging, inadequate record keeping and failing to refer a patient to hospital.
Dr Moses Njue, head of the Medical-Legal Unit at the Medical Services ministry, says that complaints are rising as more patients become aware about their rights to claim after receiving sub-standard medical care.
The Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board is now receiving two complaints a week. Since it was set up in 1999, the board has received 363 complaints and has settled 73 of them. The pending 290 cases are at various stages of investigation.
Useful Links
- Doctors in the dock over medical mistakes
Find out more about the action to be taken against the doctors branded "too lax"