On April 22, 2025, Dr. Ouma Oluga, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Medical Services, convened a strategic meeting with directorate heads to reinforce the Ministry of Health’s national health priorities. Dr. Oluga emphasized the importance of leadership and commitment in advancing the goals of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthening essential health services.
In his address, Dr. Oluga outlined the critical role that each directorate plays in achieving the government’s health objectives. He urged the directorate heads to ensure their activities align with the country’s existing health policy frameworks, stressing the importance of periodic reviews to ensure that all efforts remain focused, results-oriented, and measurable. He further highlighted that leadership must not only be proactive but also sustainable, ensuring that the ministry’s goals are continuously pursued with long-term vision and resilience.
Central to the discussion was the need for the ministry to be at the forefront of change, with an emphasis on sustainability, resource mobilization, and innovation. Dr. Oluga pointed out that addressing persistent challenges such as the medical internship programme requires creativity and a willingness to embrace new solutions. He also stressed the importance of maintaining public trust, which he believes can only be achieved through demonstrated action and accountability. He noted that public trust begins when there is a genuine commitment to making real progress, adding that this must be evident in the way the Ministry of Health carries out its work.
The Principal Secretary made it clear that the success of the Ministry of Health’s initiatives would be based on measurable outcomes. He underscored the need for better alignment between the national health priorities and the available resources, suggesting that the directorates should make concerted efforts to maximize the impact of every resource at their disposal. Moreover, Dr. Oluga urged for stronger collaboration across directorates to improve the coordination of efforts. He advocated for an open-door policy, encouraging directorate heads to seek advice and share their concerns with him and other senior officials.
During the meeting, the directorate heads were encouraged to resolve cross-cutting issues through synergy and joint action. Dr. Oluga emphasized that collaboration would not only improve the effectiveness of health services but also promote innovation and foster a deeper sense of ownership of the ministry’s goals. The Principal Secretary expressed confidence that with proper coordination and teamwork, the Ministry of Health would be able to achieve its health priorities, both short-term and long-term.
The meeting also focused on the need to showcase ongoing progress and protect the gains made so far. Dr. Oluga emphasized that while it was important to make new strides, it was equally crucial to ensure that the progress achieved in various health sectors remained intact. He called for the restoration of systems where necessary to ensure the continuity and sustainability of improvements.
Dr. Oluga also highlighted the need for directorates to prioritize areas requiring urgent attention, ensuring that necessary interventions are timely and effective. The Directorates of Curative and Nursing Services, Family Health, Health Products and Technologies, and Policy, Digital Health and Innovation presented briefs outlining the progress made in their respective areas. These updates were aimed at ensuring alignment with the Ministry’s overarching health agenda, with an emphasis on quality and accessibility.
As the meeting concluded, Dr. Oluga reiterated his commitment to supporting teams based on results and delivering value. The collaboration of all directorates would be essential to moving forward and achieving the health sector’s ambitious goals, including the realization of Universal Health Coverage for all Kenyans.
