SOP: KENYA MEDICAL MALPRACTICE COVERAGE

Subject: Kenya Medical Malpractice Coverage

Overview

The Medical Malpractice Cover (MedMal)/Professional indemnity insurance cover is a form of liability insurance which helps protect professionals from legal liability that may arise due to acts of negligence, error, or omission in the rendering of or failure to render professional services for others in the insured’s capacity as a professional.

All AMPATH visitors participating in clinical activities with patient contact are required to have a medical license by Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dental Council (KMPDC) and a medical malpractice cover.

Audience

The audience for this document includes all licensed practitioners and licensed clinical trainees who 1) are affiliated with an AMPATH member institution and 2) will be participating in clinical activities that involve patient contact in Kenya through AMPATH.

Definitions

AMPATH member institution – Refers to any institution that is a member of the AMPATH Consortium Clinical Trainee – Includes medical students, residents and fellows

KMPDC – Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dental Council

IIGH-K – Indiana Institute for Global Health-Kenya

MTRH – Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital

IUCGH – Indiana University Center for Global Health

Procedures

• Visitors complete the AMPATH Kenya Visitor Information Form at https://www.ampathkenya.org/visitor-registration at least six weeks ahead of arrival in Kenya – those who miss this deadline may be asked to delay their travel.
• After completing the AMPATH Kenya Visitor Information Form, the IUCGH and IIGH-K staff will initiate the coverage process by notifying the insurance company to add clinicians and remove them to the policy (described below) as they arrive and leave Kenya.* MTRH and the KMPDC requires coverage for all practitioners at MTRH.
• Current coverage details:
  • A copy of the policy has been shared with the lead individual from each Consortium institution.
  • Offered through Minet Kenya/PACIS Insurance
    • Liability limit for any one period is Kshs. 50,000,000/~$417,000
  • Liability limit for any one claim is Kshs. 50,000,000/~$417,000
  • Current cover (31 March 2023-30 March 2024) is fully paid for by IUCGH. However, when the policy is renewed in 2024, we will re-evaluate to determine if there will be a future cost allocation process for Consortium members in need of this coverage.
  • The details below are required for coverage of any doctor/nurse/physiotherapist/Health Practitioner on the current plan:
  • Name of Doctor/Nurse/Practitioner to be covered
  • Speciality
  • Valid KMPDC medical license (or other license as appropriate)
  • Email address of the doctor / nurse
  • Copy of passport for the Doctor/ Nurse
  • Period of cover (the period when the practitioner expects to be in Kenya)

Once the Medical License is issued and shared with the applicant/practitioner, IUCGH submits the license together with other required documents (above) to the insurance firm for cover. The insurance firm responds to IUCGH to confirm receipt of the information.

MedMal cover is issued to IUCGH within two (2) business days from receipt date

MedMal insurance coverage certificate is issued to the practitioner as soon as it is received. The certificate details name, period of cover as well as cover limit.

*If a traveller is covered under a different medical malpractice coverage through their institution, a copy of that policy and proof of coverage must be on file with IUCGH/AMPATH Kenya. Proof of coverage can be uploaded into the AMPATH Visitor Information Form or emailed to John Oguda, managing director of IIGH-K, at joguda@iu.edu.