The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has launched a fully digital system to register health facilities.

According to the council’s statement on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the initiative is meant to streamline operations, promote transparency, and enhance service delivery. Following the launch, health facility owners can now apply online via the KMPDC Online Services Portal at osp.kmpdc.go.ke. The system offers a step-by-step guide.

Applicants are required to fill in the facility name, location, and classification; details of director(s); services offered; personnel available; and certified documentation to demonstrate compliance with applicable laws.

The system allows 24/7 access for applicants and streamlines internal workflows through automated alerts and approvals. It also keeps centralised records, which are easy to update or retrieve.

Once submitted, KMPDC officers inspect the facility. If it meets the set standards, the council approves the registration within 21 working days. However, if there are mistakes or false details, the application may be rejected.

Focus on data protection

KMPDC built the new system with strong data protection measures guided by the Data Protection Act of 2019, where submissions are encrypted, logs are automated, and access controls keep personal data safe.

From January 1, 2025, KMPDC required all health facilities to register with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC). It is part of the council’s strong focus on protecting patient information.

Step towards better service

Dr David G. Kariuki, CEO of KMPDC, said the shift to digital is more than a system change. It marks a new way the council carries out its work. According to the council, the new platform makes registration faster, fairer, and easier to access.

By using technology, KMPDC hopes to build public trust in the healthcare system. The council also wants to cut delays and reduce paperwork for health facility owners.

This digital move by KMPDC supports the wider government efforts to modernise healthcare. In April 2025, Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale met with MPs to discuss the Digital Health Regulations 2025.

These rules will create a national framework for digital health. They aim to track health records, register patients, and improve healthcare efficiency.

The regulations support Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

They aim to expand access, fight fraud, and ensure only qualified people practise medicine. Duale said the new rules would make healthcare more affordable and sustainable.