Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale appeared before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health, chaired by Dr. James Nyikal, to discuss the Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill (No. 41 of 2025). The session, held at Bunge Towers in Nairobi, focused on strengthening healthcare governance, accountability, and service quality across Kenya’s health system.
During the meeting, the Cabinet Secretary presented a comprehensive response to the Committee’s October 2025 Fact-Finding Report, which detailed systemic challenges faced under the Social Health Authority (SHA) since its inception. The deliberations covered 18 key observations and 14 recommendations designed to guide immediate reforms aimed at improving service delivery and patient safety.
Hon. Duale emphasized that while Kenya has made notable strides in healthcare through ongoing government initiatives, persistent structural and socioeconomic barriers still limit universal access, especially in maternal healthcare. He highlighted the role of the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) system, along with digital innovations in health data tracking and facility readiness, as crucial tools for reducing maternal and perinatal mortality.
He also shared encouraging updates on the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), noting that the institution’s order fill rate had improved from 32% to 67%, and county drug delivery times had dropped from 33 days to 12 days. The Ministry aims to achieve full supply coverage nationwide to ensure timely delivery of essential medicines and commodities, marking significant progress in transparency and efficiency within the national health supply chain.
Additionally, the Cabinet Secretary announced plans for the rollout of the SHA Ambulance Evacuation Services Benefit and the establishment of the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre (NADC). These initiatives will advance Kenya’s efforts to create a coordinated, equitable, and cashless emergency response system accessible to all citizens.
Hon. Duale urged the Committee to support key health sector reforms by advocating increased funding for the full operationalization of the Primary Healthcare Fund (PHCF) and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF). He also appealed for the expedited settlement of the NHIF legacy debt to stabilize the sector’s financial health.
He concluded by reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to collaborative action, stating that transforming Kenya’s healthcare system requires shared responsibility and partnerships across all institutions to achieve quality, accessible, and equitable care for every Kenyan.
