The government through the Ministry of Health has identified 126 beauty and medical spas, alongside 34 plastic surgery centres, that are set to undergo a thorough assessment after Lucy Wambui died as a result of botched surgery.
The Ministry of Health in a press statement issued on Monday, November 18, 2024, said it is fully committed to ensuring that all Kenyans have access to safe, high-quality healthcare services provided by qualified professionals at duly licensed institutions.
“The State Department of Public Health & Professional Standards is fully committed to ensuring that all Kenyans have access to safe, high-quality healthcare services provided by qualified professionals at duly licensed institutions. This commitment is central to protecting public health and upholding professional standards in the medical and wellness sectors,” the statement read in part.
Joint team
Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni further stated that a joint team of health regulators led by the Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority had embarked on a comprehensive assessment of all facilities providing invasive cosmetic procedures following Wambui’s death.
This, PS Muthoni said, is aimed at ensuring the facilities meet the required standards for safe and quality care.
The listed facilities have been identified across Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret, and Mombasa, and those that will fail to meet the required standards will face strict penalties, including possible closure and legal action.
“Following the recent, tragic death of Ms Lucy Wambui due to complications from a cosmetic procedure, the State Department has taken urgent action. A joint team of health regulators led by the Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority has embarked on a comprehensive assessment of all facilities providing invasive cosmetic procedures to ensure that these facilities meet the required standards for safe and quality care.
“As part of this initiative, a list of 126 beauty and medical spas, alongside 34 plastic surgery centers, has been identified across Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret, and Mombasa, which are now scheduled for thorough assessment. These inspections will check that the facilities are following safety guidelines, ethical practices and that they are staffed by qualified professionals. Facilities that fail to meet these standards will face strict penalties, including possible closure and legal action,” the statement read.
JOINT ASSESSMENT OF ALL FACILITIES PROVIDING INVASIVE COSMETIC PROCEDURES BY A TEAM OF HEALTH REGULATORS pic.twitter.com/TyD4aXLcGp
— Ministry of Health (@MOH_Kenya) November 18, 2024
The late Wambui, wife of businessman Francis Ng’ang’a, was laid to rest on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at her family farm in Red Hill Limuru, Kiambu County in a funeral event that was attended by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
Lucy Wambui’s death
Lucy Wambui died on Saturday, October 26, 2024, after undergoing a plastic surgery procedure at a facility in Nairobi. She developed complications and returned to the hospital where she was referred to Nairobi Hospital where she died while receiving treatment.
Body by Design closure
Following Lucy’s untimely death, the Ministry of Health on Saturday, November 2, 2024, announced the closure of Ominicare Medical Limited.
In a statement, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the centre was found to be in serious non-compliance with medical institution regulations.
“Following a tragic incident that led to the death of Ms Lucy Wambui who passed away after a plastic surgery procedure at Ominicare Medical Limited, operating as “Body by Design” in Nairobi, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) conducted a comprehensive investigation into the facility’s practices and standards,” PS Muthoni said.
