Ambulance operators given until July 17 to register with KMPDC or face action

All ambulance owners and operators across the country have been given until July 17, 2026, to register their ambulances with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), or face regulatory action in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. In a notice, the Council said the registration process must be undertaken through the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Portal and is required for all ambulances providing emergency medical services. KMPDC said the move is aimed at improving access to and quality of pre-hospital healthcare, supporting the operationalisation of the emergency services component under the Social Health Authority’s Emergency, Critical Care and Chronic Illness Fund, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements governing emergency medical services in Kenya. “Ambulance owners/operators are advised to submit their registration applications through the EMS Portal,” KMPDC said. The Council urged all ambulance owners and operators to complete the registration process within the given period, warning that failure to comply may attract regulatory action. “KMPDC remains committed to ensuring quality, safe and accessible emergency medical services for all,” the Council said. It emphasised that the law requires all medical and dental practitioners, as well as health facilities, to be licensed before offering services to the public. “Section 22 (1) of the CAP 253 states that a person practising as a medical or dental practitioner without being duly licensed commits an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding Sh5 million or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both,” the Council warned. The Council further noted that using premises as a health institution without a valid licence is also an offence under the law. “Further, CAP 253 also states that a person who uses a premise as a health institution, whose premises are not licensed as a health institution, commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Sh10 million or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both,” KMPDC said. It also unveiled the 2026 register of licensed practitioners, facilities and ambulance providers. The published 2026 register includes licensed Kenyan medical practitioners, Kenyan dental practitioners, community oral health officers, East African Community medical practitioners, East African Community dental practitioners, foreign medical practitioners, foreign dentists, private health facilities, public facilities, faith-based facilities, medical interns, dental interns and ambulance providers. KMPDC said the list has been shared with the Social Health Authority, and only practitioners appearing on the list will be able to access Practice 360 for managing pre-authorisation approvals. The Council also said foreign practitioners must obtain a letter of no objection from the Ministry of Health before renewing their 2026 practising licences. “All payments are made through the eCitizen platform,” KMPDC said. The Council urged members of the public to seek health services from registered and licensed practitioners and health facilities. It noted that it remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the highest standards of medical care and safeguarding public trust in the healthcare system.