Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has placed private healthcare providers at the centre of Kenya’s ongoing reforms, saying partnerships with the sector are key to expanding access and delivering Universal Health Coverage across the country.
Speaking on Friday during a forum organised by the Kenya Healthcare Federation, Duale said the government has already released Sh137.4 billion through the Social Health Authority, with a large portion supporting services offered by private and faith-based facilities.
He told the forum that the private sector remains central to delivering Universal Health Coverage, adding that no meaningful progress can be achieved without sustained collaboration.
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Duale said the meeting’s focus on global geopolitical shifts and commodity security comes at a critical time, noting that it aligns with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
The CS outlined four pillars shaping reforms in the health sector. These include sustainable financing through the Social Health Authority, increased investment in primary healthcare and the workforce, stronger systems to secure essential medical supplies and promote local production, and faster adoption of digital health systems.
On financing, Duale said the Sh137.4 billion already disbursed has enabled millions of Kenyans to access both basic and specialised healthcare services. He noted that the support has strengthened service delivery across public, private and faith-based institutions, underlining the value of partnerships.
He, however, warned healthcare providers against engaging in malpractice, even as more facilities adopt the SHA digital platform.
He stressed that “accountability remains non-negotiable and enforcement action will be taken against non-compliant facilities,” cautioning against overcharging and fraudulent practices.
Duale also raised concern over Kenya’s continued reliance on imports for medical supplies, saying about 70 percent of health products are sourced from outside the country. He warned that this exposes the health system to global supply chain shocks.
To address this, he said the government is rolling out integrated digital supply chain systems, strengthening the capacity of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, and encouraging local production of essential medical commodities.
On regulation, Duale acknowledged challenges facing the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, saying reforms are underway to improve efficiency, cut approval timelines, and resolve delays in import permits. He added that licensing processes are also being streamlined to support investment in the sector.
The CS further pointed to planned legal and institutional changes aimed at improving patient safety and service delivery. These include the proposed Quality of Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill and plans to establish a unified national emergency medical service.
He said the reforms are intended to strengthen oversight, raise care standards, and improve coordination across the health system.
To enhance engagement with stakeholders, Duale announced plans to introduce a biannual Ministerial Stakeholders Forum, backed by structured workstreams and a quarterly accountability framework to track progress and address emerging issues.
He urged health sector players to remain proactive in addressing challenges, calling on them to be “candid, solutions-oriented, and committed to delivering equitable, high-quality healthcare for all Kenyans.”
The forum brought together key players in the health sector, including private providers and policymakers, to review emerging issues and explore opportunities in healthcare delivery.
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