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Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has directed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to investigate doctors accused of publicly claiming involvement in or witnessing alleged miraculous healings during a recent religious crusade.
In a statement, Duale said that while the government respects the role of faith and spirituality in society, issues concerning health and human life must be guided by science, ethics and evidence-based medical practice. He said any medical professional making such claims must be able to support them with credible scientific proof.
The ministry has instructed KMPDC to summon the practitioners involved and demand comprehensive clinical records and scientific evidence to substantiate any public testimonies attributed to them. Duale warned that failure to comply could attract disciplinary action under existing professional regulations.
He cautioned that unverified claims of miraculous healing, particularly when made by licensed medical practitioners, risk spreading medical misinformation and could endanger public safety if not supported by verifiable medical evidence.
Separately, KMPDC on Saturday issued a warning against faith-based healing claims linked to serious medical conditions. The council said it had noted reports suggesting that ailments such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, blindness, deafness, muteness and physical disabilities were allegedly cured through faith during the crusade, with some claims attributed to medical professionals.
The regulator condemned statements by practitioners based on unproven assertions, saying they raise serious concerns about patient safety and professional ethics. KMPDC reiterated that healthcare must be grounded in evidence-based medicine, including scientific validation, rigorous testing and appropriate regulatory approval.
It added that claims involving chronic or life-threatening illnesses must be supported by verifiable medical records and independently confirmed by qualified healthcare professionals. The council warned that unsubstantiated claims by health workers could mislead patients and discourage them from seeking proven medical treatment, potentially leading to harmful outcomes.
While acknowledging the importance of faith and spirituality, KMPDC advised the public against relying on unverified healing claims for serious illnesses and said it would take appropriate action against any practitioner found to have violated professional or ethical standards.
