Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has told Kenya’s health regulators to remain firm and resist any attempts to compromise their work, saying the safety of patients depends on it.
Speaking in Nairobi during a meeting with a Mount Kenya University (MKU) delegation led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, Duale stressed that all health training institutions must follow the curriculum and standards set by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).
“Do not be compromised by the people you regulate your work is patient safety,” he said, adding that the regulations are there to protect patients and maintain professional credibility.
The meeting focused on the credibility of Kenya’s health training systems and the global reputation of its health workforce, which Duale described as a crucial part of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
He noted the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring every health worker from community oral health officers to specialist surgeons is trained to the highest possible standard.
However, the CS raised concerns over MKU’s Bachelor of Science in Oral Health programme, saying it does not meet KMPDC’s requirements.
He also pointed to broader challenges in the sector including the commercialization of medical training, the introduction of new courses without Ministry approval, and weak curricula in some institutions.
“These are gaps we are addressing decisively to ensure training programmes meet regulatory requirements and uphold patient safety,” Duale said.
He assured that the Ministry will continue working with institutions like MKU on curriculum reviews, faculty training, and joint quality checks all anchored on quality, compliance, and public interest.
The meeting was also attended by Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, KMPDC CEO Dr. David Kariuki, and Acting CEO of the Kenya Nursing Council Anne Mukuna.
