The Ministry of Health has launched a new programme called KQMH Plus aimed at improving the quality of services offered at health centres and dispensaries, as the government shifts focus from access to care to how care is delivered.
The programme, dubbed Kenya Quality Model for Health Plus (KQMH Plus), was launched at Angola Health Centre in Kisumu East Sub-County in partnership with PharmAccess. It is designed to help frontline facilities strengthen service delivery and ensure patients receive safe and respectful care.
Speaking at the event, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni said expanding healthcare coverage alone is not enough if the quality of services remains uneven.
“As we work to make healthcare accessible, we must also pay close attention to what patients actually experience when they walk into a facility,” Muthoni said. “KQMH Plus is about supporting health workers to improve systems, reduce gaps and deliver better care to the people they serve.”
Most Kenyans seek treatment at primary healthcare facilities, yet these centres often struggle with staffing, systems and quality standards. Under KQMH Plus, health facilities will be supported to adopt structured quality-improvement processes within Primary Care Networks.
Officials say this will help clinics and health centres identify weaknesses, improve day-to-day operations and monitor performance, leading to better patient outcomes over time.
The launch drew both national and county leaders, highlighting the shared responsibility in improving healthcare services.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili said strengthening primary healthcare is critical to easing pressure on referral hospitals and ensuring patients get timely care closer to home.
Also present were Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo, PharmAccess Global Director of Quality Aafke De Graaff, and Kisumu County Executive Committee Member for Health Dr Gregory Ganda.
PharmAccess representatives said the programme builds on lessons from previous quality improvement efforts and places health workers at the centre of change.
The Ministry of Health said KQMH Plus is expected to improve patient confidence in public health facilities while also supporting health workers with clearer standards and practical tools to improve care.
As the programme rolls out, officials hope it will translate into shorter waiting times, safer services and a better experience for patients especially at the community level, where the health system meets most Kenyans first.
