The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, recently held a significant consultative meeting with a delegation from the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), led by Hassan Ole Naado. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and strengthen strategic partnerships that would enhance access to quality healthcare under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework. The collaboration aims to ensure that more Kenyans, especially those in marginalized communities, benefit from improved healthcare services.
SUPKEM is an influential organization that operates a network of 20 hospitals, 12 health centres, and 32 dispensaries across Kenya. The delegation expressed their commitment to expanding the partnership with the Ministry of Health, particularly in the areas of maternal and mental health services. These two areas have been identified as critical in reducing health disparities in the country, with the government striving to reduce maternal mortality rates and improve mental health services, especially in underserved areas.
Hon. Duale emphasized the importance of addressing maternal mortality, which remains a significant challenge for the health sector in Kenya. He called on SUPKEM to engage with other Muslim professional organizations, highlighting the role of trust and integrity in fostering collaborations that can bring about real, positive change at the grassroots level. The involvement of community leaders and organizations such as SUPKEM is seen as crucial to making healthcare services more accessible and equitable, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Additionally, Hon. Duale appealed to the Council to mobilize community members for registration under the Social Health Authority (SHA). This initiative is part of the government’s effort to expand the Taifa Care model, which seeks to provide affordable and quality health coverage for all Kenyans, particularly those in the lower-income brackets. The SHA registration is a critical step in ensuring that individuals in underserved communities can access the benefits of the national health insurance program.
The Cabinet Secretary also provided updates on the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen digital health governance, a key component of modernizing healthcare delivery in Kenya. The use of digital technologies is increasingly being seen as a vital tool for improving healthcare services, from patient management systems to telemedicine and health data management. By integrating digital health tools, the Ministry aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of healthcare services across the country.
Hon. Duale further highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to eliminating unqualified medical practitioners, which has been an ongoing concern in the sector. The government is taking a stronger stance on regulating the healthcare workforce to ensure that only qualified and competent professionals are providing services to the public. He urged SUPKEM to ensure that its health facilities comply with regulatory requirements for accreditation and that they meet the necessary standards for facility upgrades.
The meeting was attended by senior Ministry officials, including Dr. Patrick Amoth, the Director General for Health, and Dr. Salim Hussein, the Director of Primary Health Care. Their presence underscored the Ministry’s dedication to strengthening partnerships with religious and community organizations to improve the quality of healthcare in Kenya.
In conclusion, the consultative meeting marked a significant step toward expanding collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Health and SUPKEM. By working together, both organizations are poised to make a meaningful impact in enhancing access to healthcare services, particularly for marginalized communities, and in furthering the goals of Universal Health Coverage in Kenya.
