A day after the Kenya Medical Association (KMA), the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS), and the World Medical Association (WMA) rejected the practice of clinical officers conducting obstetric and gynaecologic surgeries in Kenya, the Global Association of Clinical Officers and Physicians Associates (GACOPA) has now clapped back.
In the past two days, the question of who should make an incision on expectant mothers in the operating room has arisen between doctors and clinical officers.
In a joint press statement dated February 20, KMA and KOGS claimed that clinical officers lacked the required surgical training accreditation and oversight to conduct these procedures, and allowing them to perform such procedures breaches global patient safety guidelines, medical practices, and established legal frameworks.
According to the two organisations, allowing clinical officers to perform the surgeries without supervision may put the lives of both the mother and newborn at risk.
