In a historic and symbolic move, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale made an unprecedented appearance at the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Annual Delegates Conference in Mombasa, signaling a new era of engagement between the government and Kenya’s medical fraternity.
“No Health CS has ever shown up here. Not once. Not until today,” declared KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah, as he welcomed Duale to the podium.
His presence alone, widely lauded by union members, marked a critical shift in government-medics relations, long strained by trust deficits and unmet promises.
In a candid and wide-ranging address, CS Duale acknowledged the pivotal role of healthcare workers in delivering Universal Health Coverage (UHC), stating, “There can be no UHC without doctors, nurses, and all healthcare professionals being fully equipped, supported, and empowered to serve.”
He reassured delegates that the Ministry had honored its 2024 Return to Work Formula, including the first Ksh.1.75 billion installment paid, with the balance planned in the upcoming fiscal year.
On postgraduate training, Duale confirmed Ksh.73.8 million had already been disbursed for tuition support to 54 specialist doctors, with 39 more in the pipeline. He urged those left out to submit their details, reinforcing the government’s inclusive approach.
Yet, he didn’t shy away from addressing uncomfortable truths. The CS acknowledged the grim irony that many frontline healthcare providers still struggle to access quality care under the Social Health Authority (SHA) — vowing urgent corrective action.
“It is unconscionable that those who deliver care cannot themselves access quality care,” Duale said, while also warning against medics sharing pre-authorisation codes for fraudulent purposes.
“We must care for our carers,” he emphasized, adding that the government was working with counties to expand internship slots and ensure equitable deployment. Over 1,600 interns have already been placed for July 2025, he announced.
Medical Services PS Dr. Ouma Oluga stressed the importance of continuous dialogue to rebuild broken trust, while Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir proposed tighter fiscal oversight, including direct statutory deductions at the source.
Duale’s appearance and frank tone may not have resolved all grievances but for many delegates, it was a long-overdue olive branch and a step toward a more collaborative, accountable future in Kenya’s healthcare system.
