Below are the requirements for starting a medical institution in Kenya as of 2019 i.e dispensary, medical clinic, eye clinic, eye hospital, health centre, medical centre, nursing home, maternity home, funeral home, level 3 mission hospital, level 4 mission hospital, level hospital, level 5 hospital, and a level 6 hospital. These guidelines have been formulated by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board.
Requirements For Starting A Medical Institution in Kenya
1. Obtain forms IX upon payment of Kshs. 1,000.00/=. Return the forms filled in and duly signed by the area Medical Officer of Health or the Provincial Medical Officer (PMO)
2. Provide Company/Business Registration Certificate
3. Submit separate inspection report with relevant details signed by the inspection team.
4. Provide certified copies of professional qualifications of all medical personnel working therein e.g. Private Practice License for doctors and nurses and their Registration Certificates.
5. Provide building architectural plans that must be signed by relevant authorities
6. In the case of Hospitals, provide proof of mortuary/storage facilities for dead bodies.
7. In the case of Hospitals, a pharmacy run by a qualified pharmacist/pharmaceutical technologist must be in place.
8. Must pay relevant fees applicable in each category ( we have listed them below)
9.The Proprietor /Administrator/Director to ensure that:
The facility is kept clean
The Institution’s licence is up to date
Health professionals working therein are registered/ licenced appropriately
Below are the fees payable by the medical institutions
1.Dispensary
A health facility devoted to treating outpatients which is not intended to be used for more than 12 hours. Either licenced to a Faith Based Organization (FBO) e.g. (church, mosque)
Dispensary
Application Fee
Registration Fee
Annual License Fee
1,000
5,000
5,000
2.Medical Clinic
A private practice health facility devoted to treating outpatients which is not intended to be used for more than 12 hours.
Medical Clinic
Application Fee
Registration Fee
Annual License Fee
1,000
5,000
10,000
3. Eye Clinic
An outpatient facility by an ophthalmologist that exclusively offers eye services.
Eye Clinic
Application Fee
Registration Fee
Annual License Fee
1,000
5,000
10,000
4.Eye Hospital
A facility that exclusively offers eye services and has:
• Outpatient facilities
• Admission beds
• Theatre
• Cataract surgeon/ ophthalmologist
Eye Hospital
Application Fee
Registration Fee
Annual License Fee
1,000
10,000
30,000
5.Health Centre
A Faith Based Organization (FBO), Community or registered organization, e.g. (school, company, church or mosque. Comprised of consulting rooms, offices, treatment rooms, laboratory and minor theatre providing health care services which include and limited to providing basic health services minus specialized services e.g. x-ray, theatre etc. Services provided: curative, inpatient, maternity, referral, ANC/FP/Immunization and laboratory.
Health Centre
Application Fee
Registration Fee
Annual License Fee
1,000
5,000
10,000
6.Medical Centre
A consortium of facilities and practitioners offering different services in one location.
Medical Centre
Application Fee
Registration Fee
Annual License Fee
1,000
5,000
10,000
7.Nursing Home
A residential facility for persons with chronic illness which has:
• Theatre
• Mortuary
Nursing Home
Application Fee
Registration Fee
Annual License Fee
1,000
10,000
20,000
8.Maternity Home
Reception of pregnant women or of women immediately after childbirth and for antenatal services.
Maternity Home
Application Fee
Registration Fee
Annual License Fee
1,000
10,000
20,000
9.Funeral Home (standalone);
A facility where dead bodies are stored and undergo autopsy before cremation/ burial; may provide additional services including:
• Selling coffins
• Cremation
• Burial
• Transportation, among others.
Funeral Home
Application Fee
Registration Fee
Annual License Fee
1,000
10,000
20,000
10.Level 3 Mission Hospital
A Faith Based Organization (FB0) which has:
• 50-100 inpatient beds
• An operating theatre
• Mortuary
• Radiology unit with X-Ray
• Resident medical practitioners or dentists
Level 3 Mission Hospital
Application Fee
Registration Fee
Annual License Fee
1,000
10,000
20,000
11.Level 4 Mission Hospital
A Faith Based Organization (FB0) which has:
• 100 and above inpatient beds
• An operating theatre
• Mortuary
• Radiology unit with X-Ray
• Resident medical practitioners or dentists
Level 4 Mission Hospital
Application Fee
Registration Fee
Annual License Fee
1,000
10,000
20,000
12.Level 4 Hospital
An institution which has:
• 50-100 inpatient beds
• An operating theatre
• Mortuary
• Radiology unit with X-Ray
• Resident medical practitioners or dentists
Level 4 Hospital
Application Fee
Registration Fee
Annual License Fee
1,000
20,000
50,000
Check Out
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13.Level 5 Hospital
An institution which has:
• 100-150 inpatient beds
• An operating theatre
• Mortuary
• Intensive Care Unit
• Radiology unit with X-Ray
• Resident medical practitioners or dentists
Level 5 Hospital
Application Fee
Registration Fee
Annual License Fee
1,000
30,000
80,000
14.Level 6 Hospital
An institution which has:
• 150 and above inpatient beds
• An operating theatre
• Mortuary
• Intensive Care Unit
• Radiology unit with X-Ray
• Resident medical practitioners or dentists
Level 6 Hospital
Application Fee
Registration Fee
Annual License Fee
1,000
30,000
100,000
15.Inspection and accreditation of a medical or dental school
An institution which intends to train medical practitioners and dental practitioners.