The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) and the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS) have raised alarm over the safety of surgical care in maternal health, warning against expanding surgical roles to inadequately trained healthcare providers.
In a joint statement released on February 20, 2025, the two medical bodies cautioned that allowing clinical officers and other allied health professionals to independently perform surgical procedures, including Caesarean sections, could put the lives of mothers and newborns at risk.
“We must unequivocally state that surgery, particularly obstetric and gynaecologic surgery, requires highly specialized training, rigorous and continuous competency assessments, and strict adherence to globally accepted medical and surgical safety standards,” the statement read.
They further warned that performing such procedures without proper training, accreditation, and oversight could compromise patient safety. “Maternal mortality and morbidity remain a national concern, and inappropriate delegation of surgical responsibilities risks worsening this crisis further,” the statement added.
KMA and KOGS urged the Ministry of Health and Parliament to ensure that any changes to surgical practice are based on scientific evidence and competency-based training rather than political pressure or workforce shortages. They outlined several key recommendations, including maintaining professional standards, prioritizing patient safety through a team-based approach, strengthening surgical training programs, enhancing oversight and regulation, and ensuring meaningful stakeholder consultations before implementing any policy changes.
The two organizations stressed that Kenya has made significant progress in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, but warned that allowing unregulated surgical practices could reverse these gains. “We urge policymakers to remain steadfast in upholding the principles of safe, high-quality, and patient-centered care for all Kenyans,” they concluded.
