Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale today on Tuesday 7th 2025 appeared before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health, led by Seme MP Dr. James Nyikal, at the Parliament Buildings in Nairobi to present the Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill (No. 41 of 2025).
The Bill seeks to create a distinct legal framework to promote high degrees of quality health care and protect patients’ rights, a move towards guaranteeing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for Kenya.
During the session, CS Duale posed questions regarding loopholes in the regulation of medicine that have enabled unqualified personnel and unauthorized facilities to practice with no proper scrutiny.
He explained that these loopholes put patients at risk, expose them to unnecessary harm, and undermine public confidence in the health system.
Duale explained that the bill aims to seal such loopholes by embracing a single regulatory system for the registration, licensing, and accreditation of health facilities.
He added that the system will ensure consistency, accountability, and better health outcomes for the nation.
The Bill also proposes to create a Health Sector Tribunal to settle disputes, regulate more effectively, and protect the rights of patients and providers alike during the encouragement of innovation in the delivery of health care.
CS Duale also reported on the Health and Medical Practitioners and Dentists (Amendment) Bills, 2024, where he reiterated the government’s assurance of having a people-friendly and equitable health care system.
He informed that the Ministry is in the process of putting an end to commercialization of health training through ensuring professional and regulatory compliant training schemes.
The members of the Committee also considered the scope of practice of health professionals and reaffirmed that practitioners should only practice in their areas of competence in an attempt to provide safe and effective care.
The two Bills tabled in the House will, together, streamline healthcare regulation, increase accountability, and improve patient safety in Kenya’s healthcare sector.
He was accompanied by Principal Secretaries Dr. Ouma Oluga (Medical Services) and Mary Muthoni (Public Health and Professional Standards), Chairperson of Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council Prof. Fredrick Were, CEO Dr. David Kariuki, and other senior Ministry of Health officials.
