EAC nationals qualified to work as doctors in Kenya

By Beth Nyaga

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists board has clarified that under the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act Cap. 253, the Board has made provision for Registration of Doctors who are East Africa Community (EAC) nationals and who qualify from recognized EAC Partner States Medical/Dental Schools.

In what appears to be a dismissal of claims made by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentist Union Secretary General Dr Ouma Oluga that the doctors from Tanzania will have to be examined before they are integrated with their Kenyans colleagues.

However, the Board Chief Executive Officer Daniel Yumbya says under the Protocol, EAC doctors are exempted from sitting the Pre-registration Exam for those who have already completed their internship program in the country of training.

According to Yumbya, the doctors must be East African nationals possessing a Copy of Passport/ National ID, Coloured passport size photo, Certificate of internship completion as well as evidence of Provisional/ Permanent Registration by EAC Partner State Medical Board/ Council.

Statehouse spokesperson Manoah Esipisu in his weekly briefing at statehouse said the curriculum in East African medical schools had been rationalised and a doctor qualifying in any East African country can work in another without further examination or exam.

“It must also be noted that Kenyans work across our region – in Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia and even Ethiopia – and that nationals of these countries can work here without any hurdles,” he said.