Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has put private and public healthcare providers on notice, saying the government will not tolerate facilities that compromise on service quality or misuse the new Social Health Authority (SHA) system.
Duale was speaking during a meeting with members of the Kenya Association of Private Hospitals (KAPH) and other stakeholders in the private healthcare sector, where he reaffirmed the Ministry’s push to link SHA reimbursements to quality, efficiency, and integrity in service delivery.
“Integrity and service quality must go hand in hand,” the CS said, warning that facilities found violating SHA regulations including misuse of Outpatient (OTP) pre-authorization codes risk closure. “We are determined to weed out abuse and ensure Kenyans get dignified and safe care,” he added.
Duale also urged hospitals to comply with the bed capacity access rule, which ensures that facility reimbursements under SHA are based on actual capacity. He asked providers to update their bed counts with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to avoid interruptions.
In a bid to cut red tape, the Ministry is in talks with the Council of Governors and other state agencies to streamline licensing processes. Among the proposed changes is the review of Single Business Permit requirements to ease regulatory pressures on providers.
Duale also backed the revival of the Ministerial Stakeholders Forum (MSF), which will now be held twice a year with clear follow-up plans. He said the platform would ensure continued engagement between the government and health stakeholders.
He announced that the Quality of Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill currently in the final stages of review will soon be tabled. The legislation will set binding standards for facilities, as part of efforts to make Universal Health Coverage (UHC) a reality for all Kenyans.
The CS challenged private players to be honest about both strengths and weaknesses in the system, share responsibility for reforms, and collaborate in driving innovation, particularly in digital health and community-based care models.
KAPH, represented by Chair Dr. Erick Musau, welcomed the discussions and proposed quarterly meetings with the Ministry to improve coordination around UHC goals.
Present at the session were Public Health PS Mary Muthoni, SHA Chair Abdi Mohamed, SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, DHA CEO Anthony Lenaiyara, Presidential Health Advisor Dr. Daniel Mwai, and hospital CEOs including Rashid Khalani (Aga Khan University Hospital), Toseef Din (M.P. Shah Hospital), and George Salib (Coptic Hospital).
