Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has underscored the urgent need for enhanced governance, leadership, and accountability in national referral hospitals to elevate the quality of healthcare services across Kenya.
During a recent visit to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Duale emphasized that the government is steadfast in its commitment to strengthening the country’s premier health institutions. He stressed that improved governance structures are essential to ensure efficient service delivery and uphold the mandate of referral hospitals as key pillars in the realization of Universal Health Coverage.
The visit comes in the wake of heightened public discourse and media focus on the operational challenges at KNH. In his address, Duale acknowledged these concerns, reaffirming the government’s resolve to support the hospital in overcoming systemic hurdles while improving patient outcomes. He commended KNH for its continued leadership in specialized care and highlighted some of its groundbreaking medical achievements that have placed Kenya on the global map of healthcare innovation.
Among the landmark milestones cited were Kenya’s first laparoscopic kidney resection and intrauterine fetal transfusion, as well as the world’s first transhumeral total shoulder replacement (TSR) surgery. These feats, Duale noted, reflect the immense potential within Kenya’s health sector and the critical role of KNH in driving medical advancements. He reiterated that such innovations are key enablers in the country’s journey toward achieving Universal Health Coverage, particularly through the implementation of the Social Health Insurance (SHI) scheme.
During the tour of the hospital, the Cabinet Secretary visited several strategic units including the cancer treatment centre, the radiotherapy bunker, and the ongoing construction site for a government-funded oxygen-generating plant. These facilities, he noted, are essential in enhancing the hospital’s capacity to serve patients from across the country, especially those requiring specialized and urgent care.
Duale called on county governments to scale up investments in their respective referral and primary healthcare systems. Strengthening lower-tier facilities, he argued, would significantly reduce the patient load on national referral hospitals like KNH, thus allowing these institutions to focus more on complex medical cases and research.
He further appealed to development partners and the private sector to support the growth of KNH, particularly in areas such as modernizing medical equipment, driving digital transformation, enhancing staff training, and promoting health research. According to the Cabinet Secretary, these strategic partnerships are crucial in unlocking the full potential of KNH as a regional hub for tertiary care and innovation.
The Health Ministry delegation accompanying the CS included senior government officials from various departments. The leadership of KNH, including the Board Chair and the Acting Chief Executive Officer, hosted the visit and reaffirmed their readiness to implement reforms aligned with national health goals.
Duale concluded his visit by encouraging a collective approach to healthcare governance, one that places patients at the centre while fostering transparency, innovation, and resilience in public health institutions. He reiterated that strong leadership and collaboration across all levels of government and partners will be key to ensuring Kenyans receive dignified and high-quality healthcare services at all times.
