Thinking about starting a hospital in Kenya, for instance a 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 or level 6 hospital. The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMPDB) sets out the mandatory requirements and guidelines that you should meet before finally breaking that glass ceiling.
Check out the requirements for starting a hospital in Kenya.
Requirements for starting a hospital in Kenya
Here are the requirements for starting a medical institution in Kenya.
- Obtain forms IX upon payment of Ksh 1,000. Return the forms filled in and duly signed by the area Medical Officer of Health or the Provincial Medical Officer (PMO).
- Provide company/business registration certificate.
- Submit separate inspection report with relevant details signed by the inspection team.
- 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.
- Provide building architectural plans that must be signed by relevant authorities.
- In the case of hospitals, provide proof of mortuary/storage facilities for dead bodies.
- In the case of hospitals, a pharmacy run by a qualified pharmacist/pharmaceutical technologist must be in place.
- Must pay relevant fees applicable in each category (Listed below).
- 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.
Fees for starting a hospital in Kenya
Here are the fees applicable to different categories of 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 |
| Ksh 1,000 | Ksh 5,000 | Ksh 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 |
| Ksh 1,000 | Ksh 5,000 | Ksh 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 |
| Ksh 1,000 | Ksh 5,000 | Ksh 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 |
| Ksh 1,000 | Ksh 10,000 | Ksh 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 |
| Ksh 1,000 | Ksh 5,000 | Ksh 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 |
| Ksh 1,000 | Ksh 5,000 | Ksh 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 |
| Ksh 1,000 | Ksh 10,000 | Ksh 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 |
| Ksh 1,000 | Ksh 10,000 | Ksh 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 |
| Ksh 1,000 | Ksh 10,000 | Ksh 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 |
| Ksh 1,000 | Ksh 10,000 | Ksh 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 |
| Ksh 1,000 | Ksh 10,000 | Ksh 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 |
| Ksh 1,000 | Ksh 20,000 | Ksh 50,000 |
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 |
| Ksh 1,000 | Ksh 30,000 | Ksh 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 |
| Ksh 1,000 | Ksh 30,000 | Ksh 100,000 |
15. Inspection and accreditation of a medical or dental school
An institution which intends to train medical practitioners and dental practitioners.
| Inspection and accreditation of a medical or dental school | Application Fee | Registration Fee | Annual License Fee |
| Ksh 15,000 | Ksh 50,000 | – |
Mmmmm so much requirements? We should give it a try
one of the best guidelines to start an hospital looking up to link up with you when ready to apply to start in our area thanks for the good work
Welcome
Well elaborated. Will try
WELL SPOKEN ,WE NEED SUCH PEOPLE LIKE YOU.KEEP IT UP
Thank you. I’m humbled.
Very clear elaboration
Ilike the way you have eleborated this topic,,praying that we will link up one day when things are ready,,,God bless you broh.
Well done explanation.
Is there a number to WhatsApp or call you? Please tex me. Mine 0728895448/ 0737268446.
Kindly watsuprovided me ,am really interested in starting a private clinic soon
Great