Health CS Duale orders KMPDC to probe medics who made ‘miracle healing’ claims

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has directed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to immediately investigate medical practitioners who publicly made claims of miraculous healing during a recent religious crusade, warning that unverified assertions pose a serious threat to public health and safety.

In a firm statement issued on Sunday, Duale said the Ministry of Health respects faith and spirituality but draws a clear line where matters of medicine and life are concerned.

“The Ministry of Health recognizes and respects the important place of faith and spiritual nourishment in the lives of our people. However, matters of health and life must remain firmly grounded in science, ethics and evidence-based medicine,” Duale said.

The CS cautioned that any claims of miraculous healing, particularly when made by licensed medical professionals, must be backed by scientific proof.

“Any claims of miraculous healing, especially by licensed medical practitioners, must be supported by verifiable, scientifically proven medical evidence. Unsubstantiated claims constitute medical misinformation and pose a direct threat to human life and public safety,” he said.

Duale said the Ministry has instructed KMPDC to move with speed and decisiveness in probing the matter.

“Accordingly, the Ministry has directed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to immediately investigate the medical professionals who publicly testified to such claims during a recent crusade. These practitioners must provide full clinical documentation and scientific proof,” the statement read.

He warned that failure to comply would attract severe consequences, including the loss of practising licenses.

“Failure to do so will attract serious disciplinary action, including possible suspension or revocation of licenses for professional misconduct and violation of medical ethics,” Duale said.

“The Ministry will not tolerate the misuse of medical authority to mislead the public, endanger patients or undermine trust in the healthcare system,” he stated.

Duale’s directive comes a day after KMPDC issued a strong statement condemning claims offaith-based healing for serious medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, blindness, deafness, muteness and physical disabilities, following reports linked to a religious crusade in Nakuru.

In the statement issued by KMPDC Chief Executive Officer Dr. David Kariuki on Saturday, the Council said it had taken note of “recent media reports and public discourse concerning claims of faith-based healing for serious medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, blindness, deafness, muteness and physical disabilities.”

“The Council unequivocally condemns such statements by medical practitioners, which are based on unverified claims,” KMPDC said.

The regulator stressed that “all medical treatments and interventions must be grounded in scientific evidence, rigorous testing, and regulatory approval,” warning that unsubstantiated claims by health professionals could mislead vulnerable patients and deter them from seeking proven therapies, potentially leading to “worsened health outcomes, drug resistance, or loss of life.”

KMPDC also cautioned the public against abandoning prescribed treatment, stating that “relying solely on unverified healing methods for serious illnesses can pose grave risks.”

The Council confirmed it was already working with the Ministry of Health and other agencies to investigate the claims, noting that “appropriate actions will be taken against any practitioner (or health professional) in order to safeguard public health, uphold medical ethics and protect citizens from misinformation.”

Both the Ministry of Health and KMPDC urged Kenyans to continue seeking care from accredited health facilities and to report any suspicious medical claims to the relevant authorities as investigations continue.