The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has opened the renewal window for 2026 medical and dental licenses, urging practitioners and health facilities to apply by October 31. This initiative aims to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and maintain quality healthcare services, with operating without a valid license being a serious offense.

• KMPDC is facilitating licence renewals for 2026, with the deadline for applications being October 31.
• Medical and dental professionals must update their biographical data, while health facilities need to submit operational returns, via the Online Services Portal.
• 728 health facilities were shut down in June due to non-compliance, including 394 in Nairobi, following inspections of 1,983 facilities across several counties.

Nairobi County is building an additional newborn unit at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital to alleviate crowding at Pumwani Maternal Hospital and improve maternal healthcare in the region.

• The new unit will add 53 beds to address critical health challenges, including high maternal mortality rates.
• Currently, Pumwani Hospital handles 25,000 to 30,000 deliveries per year, leading to thousands of mothers seeking delivery services there.
• CEO Dr. Fredrick Obwanda stated the project is a milestone in tackling overcrowding and improving neonatal care, allowing for skin-to-skin (kangaroo mother) care.
• The project also aims to restore dignity to mothers and newborns through a zero-separation approach, as highlighted by Board Chair Dr. Dorcus Kemunto.
• This development comes as Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) faces an upsurge in patients due to the ongoing medics' strike, with its maternity department handling double its normal intake.