Aden Duale Opens 53rd KMA Conference, Highlights Progress in Universal Health Coverage Reforms
The conference has brought together both local and international delegates to strengthen cooperation between the government.
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has officially opened the 53rd Annual Scientific Conference of the Kenya Medical Association, which demonstrates the government commitment to developing a healthcare system that is intelligent and inclusive and interconnected.
The conference, held under the theme *“Beyond resilience: Building smart, connected and inclusive health systems,”* aligns with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which is driving key reforms that will help achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals.
The Social Health Authority (SHA) serves as the core reform institution because its operations have achieved substantial success in reaching more healthcare users according to CS Duale. The authority has registered more than 30.4 million Kenyans while it has collected KSh169.19 billion in contributions and delivered KSh124.53 billion to 10,646 health facilities across the country according to Duale.
The Ministry is implementing a Comprehensive Integrated Health Information Management System to improve operational efficiency and organizational accountability. The national health information exchange has established connectivity between 10,646 facilities while public facilities number at 4,149 who have joined the system through more than 30,000 digital devices.
Duale further highlighted ongoing reforms in health products and technologies, which now enable Kenya Medical Supplies Authority to distribute essential medical commodities to their final destinations more efficiently.
The National Equipment Support Project (NESP) has provided KSh6.18 billion in funding to establish essential medical equipment across 120 health facilities throughout all 47 counties of Kenya.
The CS confirmed that progress has been made to create a Health Workforce Policy which will enhance human resources for health while a Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group develops training programs that meet the needs of digital UHC-based systems.
He also cited legislative reforms currently underway, which include the proposed Quality of Care and Patient Safety Bill 2025 that is now before the National Assembly to protect patient rights and dignity and safety. The Health Act, the Public Health Act, the Cancer Prevention and Control Act, the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, and the Mental Health Act, are currently undergoing reviews to update existing regulations.
The conference has brought together both local and international delegates to strengthen cooperation between the government and medical professionals who work to create a health system in Kenya that is both resilient and fair and centered around people.
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