Africa-Press – Kenya. The Ministry of Health has directed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to investigate medical professionals who are alleged to have publicly claimed involvement in or witnessed miraculous healings during a recent religious crusade.
In a statement, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the ministry recognises and respects the role of faith and spiritual nourishment in the lives of Kenyans, but emphasised that matters concerning health and life must be guided by science, ethics and evidence-based medicine.
The ministry instructed KMPDC to summon the practitioners involved and require them to submit clinical documentation and scientific evidence to support any public testimonies attributed to them.
“Accordingly, the Ministry has directed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to investigate medical professionals who publicly testified to such claims during a recent crusade,” Duale said.
“These practitioners must provide full clinical documentation and scientific proof.”
He added that failure to comply could result in disciplinary measures under existing professional regulations.
Duale warned that claims of miraculous healing, particularly when made by licensed medical practitioners, must be supported by verifiable and scientifically established medical evidence.
Claims that are not substantiated, he said, risk constituting medical misinformation and may pose a threat to public safety.
Separately, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council on Saturday cautioned against faith-based healing claims relating to serious medical conditions, saying such assertions raise concerns about public health and professional ethics.
In a statement, the Council said it had taken note of recent media reports and public discussions regarding claims that conditions including HIV/AIDS, cancer, blindness, deafness, muteness and physical disabilities had been healed through faith during a religious crusade.
According to the Council, the claims were reportedly attributed to certain medical practitioners.
“The Council condemns statements by medical practitioners that are based on unverified claims,” the statement said, noting that the reports had raised concerns regarding patient safety and adherence to professional standards.
KMPDC reiterated that evidence-based medicine remains a fundamental requirement in healthcare delivery.
“All medical treatments and interventions must be grounded in scientific evidence, rigorous testing and appropriate regulatory approval,” the Council said.
It added that claims involving chronic or life-threatening conditions require verifiable medical records and independent confirmation by qualified healthcare professionals.
The regulator further cautioned that unsubstantiated claims, particularly when made by health professionals, may mislead patients and discourage them from seeking proven medical treatment, potentially resulting in adverse health outcomes.
While acknowledging that faith and spirituality play an important role in many people’s lives, the Council advised against reliance on unverified healing claims for serious illnesses.
KMPDC said it would take appropriate action against any practitioner found to have breached professional or ethical standards, in line with its mandate to protect public health and maintain trust in the medical profession.
