NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 19 – I.C. Law LLP, a law firm, has strongly condemned unsupervised medical practice by interns and registrars at Kenyatta National hospital (KNH), arguing that it violates key provisions of the constitution.
In a letter addressed to Kenyatta National Hospital Chief Executive Officer Evanson Kamuri, the law firm raised concerns about the treatment of patients by interns without adequate supervision, calling for the immediate cessation of the practice.
The law firm claimed that junior medical practitioners at the hospital are routinely performing medical procedures and making critical patient treatment decisions without proper supervision from senior doctors.
“It has come to my attention that interns and registrars within your institution are routinely engaging in the treatment of patients without adequate supervision or consultation from senior medical staff,” the letter read in part.
The law firm warned that the unsupervised medical practice not only undermines the established medical standards but also poses a direct threat to patient safety.
Beyond concerns about the quality of healthcare provided by interns, legal experts highlighted that this practice could also endanger lives due to medical errors, which may have fatal consequences.
“Constitution of Kenya guarantees every person the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to health care services, including reproductive health care. Unsupervised medical practice by less experienced practitioners does not meet this constitutional standard,” it added.
The law firm urged hospital administrators to put an end to the practice and implement stricter oversight measures.
It maintained that interns and registrars should only operate under the direct guidance of experienced medical professionals to ensure patient safety and uphold constitutional rights.
