Kenya has announced two major health initiatives aimed at boosting patient safety and addressing the country’s growing mental health needs, reinforcing its goal of advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The measures were outlined during the World Patient Safety Day Symposium, which emphasized the theme “Safe Care from the Start: Preventing Harm in Neonatal and Paediatric Patients.” The Ministry of Health revealed that expanded safety systems are already taking shape through initiatives such as the Community Health Strategy, the Primary Healthcare Fund, and the electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS). These approaches are designed to enhance early detection of health problems, cut down preventable medical errors, and build stronger accountability across Kenya’s healthcare sector.
Patient safety, officials noted, must be integrated from childbirth through early childhood. Preventable causes such as birth asphyxia, premature births, and infections remain leading challenges. To address them, the government is calling for stronger collaboration among health workers, health institutions, and community stakeholders. The message was clear: patient safety should not be treated as a mere checklist but as a collective value embedded in healthcare delivery.
Alongside these patient safety measures, Kenya is also making a landmark step in mental health. The government has launched the National Advisory Committee to oversee the country’s first-ever National Baseline Mental Health Survey. The committee will guide the survey process and provide technical direction to ensure reliable data is gathered.
This survey seeks to close a longstanding information gap on the state of mental health in Kenya. It will capture key statistics on prevalence, treatment gaps, and socio-economic factors influencing mental well-being. Experts believe the findings will form a solid foundation for policy reforms, funding decisions, and improvements in service delivery.
The survey also builds on recommendations made in 2020 by the Mental Health Taskforce, which highlighted the absence of reliable national data and called for stronger systems of care. While Kenya already has a mental health policy in place, its implementation has often been hindered by limited resources. With baseline data, policymakers hope to mobilize more targeted investments and make mental health care accessible to all.
By combining efforts to protect newborns and children with strategies to strengthen mental health services, Kenya is signaling its intent to build a resilient and inclusive health system that safeguards citizens across all stages of life.
