The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council has warned individuals purporting to be doctors on social media to stop using the title ‘Doctor’.
In a statement, the commission raised concern over the growing number of online platforms where individuals claiming to be medical professionals provide medical advice and treatment to unsuspecting users.
“These ‘doctors’ pose a significant risk to public health as their diagnoses and treatment plans are often based on unverified or outdated information, leading to misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, or even exacerbating underlying health conditions,” read the statement.
The council encouraged members of the public to verify the authenticity of doctors and health facilities through the KMPDC registers on the council’s website.
“Section 22(3) of the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act CAP 253, laws of Kenya, states that Any person who uses the title “doctor” unless he is registered or licensed under this Act as a medical practitioner or dentist or has acquired doctoral qualifications or has obtained such qualifications which entitle him to use the title, commits an offense and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years are both,” the statement read in part.