On 10th May 2025, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, presided over the 9th Annual Delegates Conference (ADC) of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) in Mombasa. The conference, held at a hotel in the coastal city, was a significant gathering aimed at enhancing the welfare of healthcare professionals in Kenya, especially doctors, pharmacists, and dentists. This event formed part of the Ministry of Health’s ongoing effort to address challenges in the healthcare sector and ensure better working conditions for medical professionals.
The theme of this year’s conference was “Caring for the Caregivers: Prioritizing Doctors’ Rights and Well-being for a Healthier Nation,” reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to improving the working conditions of healthcare workers. Hon. Duale emphasized the need for continued efforts to enhance the human resources for health, noting that the government is making strategic investments to grow and protect this workforce. The Cabinet Secretary also highlighted that addressing the longstanding grievances of healthcare professionals remains a priority, with plans underway to hold a multi-stakeholder forum. This forum will serve as a platform for stakeholders to work together and find sustainable solutions to the sector’s challenges.
During his address, Hon. Duale provided updates on several key reforms in the health sector. Among these reforms were the digitization of health services and the creation of the Social Health Authority, both of which are critical components in the push towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). He outlined how these initiatives are designed to improve healthcare delivery and accessibility, particularly at the grassroots level, and how they align with the broader vision of enhancing the quality of services provided to the public.
Mombasa Governor H.E. Abdulswamad Nassir, who also attended the conference, echoed the importance of continuous dialogue in tackling the challenges facing the health sector. The Governor committed to ensuring that medical facilities in Mombasa are adequately equipped to deliver top-tier healthcare services. He emphasized that digitization is a vital step in improving service delivery and also plays a key role in eliminating unqualified practitioners from the system.
Hon. Duale also called for stricter compliance checks in medical training institutions across the country. He urged the Union to ensure that all medical training institutions are adhering to the necessary standards, as this is essential for enhancing the quality of healthcare professionals in the country. Additionally, the Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to implementing the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF), a critical initiative aimed at improving relations between the government and healthcare workers. This commitment, according to Hon. Duale, is aimed at restoring public trust and speeding up the rollout of UHC.
Dr. Ouma Oluga, the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, spoke on the importance of establishing solid policy frameworks for continued engagement and reforms in the health sector. He stressed the need for unity in the sector, calling for one voice and a collective vision to address the challenges faced by the healthcare system.
In his closing remarks, Hon. Duale urged doctors to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, in line with the Constitution. He also called on the KMPDU leadership to ensure that all foreign doctors practicing in Kenya are properly vetted to maintain the integrity of the healthcare system.
The conference served as a poignant reminder of the resilience and unity of Kenya’s medical professionals, especially as it marked the one-year anniversary of the historic 56-day doctors’ strike. This milestone underscored the ongoing commitment of medical professionals to improving the country’s health system.
