Kenya’s ministry of health has ordered state agency, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), to enforce immediate closure of aesthetic – also known as plastic surgery – clinics operating illegally. 

In recent years the cosmetic and plastic business has seen accelerated growth that has attracted quacks, and incidents of deaths have been reported as a result of lack professionalism by practitioners and awry procedures.

Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said that the decision was arrived at after MoH, through the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, in collaboration with various health regulatory agencies concluded a comprehensive assessment of aesthetic clinics and beauty spas offering plastic surgery services.

The principal secretary said that the inspection was also done on facilities conducting invasive cosmetic procedures in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru and Eldoret. 

Muthoni said that this assessment was initiated following a directive by the ministry to investigate compliance with licensing and safety standards after the tragic death of a patient at Omnicare Medical Limited. 

Muthoni pointed out that a total of 26 aesthetic clinics were assessed and 20 (77 per cent) were found to be compliant with licensing and operational standards. Three facilities had applied for registration and were awaiting approval while another three were operating illegally. 

“A total of 102 beauty spas were inspected, with seven found to be offering invasive procedures such as micro-blading and micro-needling without proper registration or qualified personnel,” said Muthoni.

The principal secretary disclosed that 40 per cent of assessed facilities lacked essential emergency medical supplies, while 25 per cent exhibited inadequate infection prevention and control measures. 

She highlighted that Omnicare Medical Limited was not assessed as it remains closed pending legal proceedings. 

“All facilities with inadequate Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures must comply with recommended standards within 30 days,” directed the principal secretary.

Muthoni said that facilities lacking emergency medical provisions must establish and equip emergency trays within 60 days while aesthetic centers and clinics without standard operating procedures (SOPs) must develop and implement them within 60 days to ensure safe and standardised practices. 

“All beauty and medical spas are prohibited from offering or advertising invasive medical procedures unless properly inspected, registered and licensed as per the norms and standards. The government is developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for invasive cosmetic procedures in beauty and medical spas to enhance public protection, safety and compliance,” said the PS.

She continued, “The ministry of health urges members of the public to seek cosmetic and plastic surgery services only from licensed and qualified practitioners to safeguard their health and well- being. Additionally, beauty and medical spas are prohibited from offering or advertising invasive medical procedures unless properly registered and licensed.”

The PS said that the ministry remains committed to enhancing patient safety, strengthening regulations, and ensuring that all health-related services in Kenya adhere to the highest standards of care. 

• A Tell / KNA report / By Joseph Ng’ang’a