Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, held a series of stakeholder engagements in Murang’a County to strengthen the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA) registration and enhance training standards for Human Resources for Health (HRH).
The visit featured strategic meetings with key county leaders, including the Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. Charles Muriithi, and the Vice Chancellor of Murang’a University of Technology, Prof. Dickson Nyariki. These engagements preceded the upcoming Public Participation Forum on the Quality of Care and Patient Safety Bill, 2025, reflecting the government’s focus on inclusivity and community involvement in shaping healthcare reforms.
In discussions with the Deputy County Commissioner, the PS highlighted the significance of SHA registration and acknowledged the pivotal role played by National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) in community mobilization. Their grassroots presence and influence are instrumental in driving public awareness and acceptance of health initiatives, particularly as the country seeks to enhance health insurance enrollment under the new framework.
At Murang’a University of Technology, PS Muthoni emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between academic institutions and regulatory bodies. She called on universities and health training institutions to align their curricula with evolving national health priorities and regulatory requirements. Such alignment is key to producing competent health professionals equipped to deliver safe and high-quality care both locally and internationally.
The visit also focused on reinforcing the government’s agenda to improve health workforce standards through upgraded training, improved infrastructure, and better regulatory oversight. Ensuring that training institutions meet set benchmarks will not only enhance patient safety but also position Kenyan professionals as globally competitive health practitioners.
Throughout the engagements, the Principal Secretary reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to reforming the health sector in a participatory manner. By involving a wide range of stakeholders including academia, community leaders, and government officials the Ministry aims to build a responsive health system grounded in quality, accountability, and trust.
The SHA registration initiative, coupled with enhanced training and regulation of HRH, is part of the broader drive toward achieving Universal Health Coverage. These efforts are expected to transform the health sector by ensuring that all Kenyans have access to affordable, high-quality services delivered by well-trained and well-regulated professionals.
