Enforce top training standards to protect patients, Duale tells health regulators
Duale said the Ministry of Health is committed to ensuring that every health worker from community oral health officers to specialist surgeons is well-trained and competent
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has put health training institutions and regulatory bodies on notice, warning that only the highest professional standards will be accepted to protect patient safety.
Speaking at Mount Kenya University on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Duale said the Ministry of Health is committed to ensuring that every health worker from community oral health officers to specialist surgeons is well-trained and competent.
His remarks are part of broader efforts to tackle gaps in Kenya’s medical education and improve oversight in the sector.
The CS’s position builds on reforms he unveiled in April during talks with the Clinical Officers Council (COC). At the time, he ordered the full digitization of COC systems, a thorough reinspection of licensed health facilities, and detailed reporting to the Ministry.
He also directed that no clinical officer be licensed unless trained in an institution that has been inspected, audited, and approved.
Tuesday’s meeting, attended by Public Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni, Director General for Health Patrick Amoth, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) CEO David Kariuki, and Acting Nursing Council CEO Anne Mukuna, focused on stronger collaboration between the government and training institutions.
The CS pledged to support curriculum improvements, faculty development, and stricter quality assurance systems.
His warning came just a day after he cautioned against accrediting non-compliant facilities, amid investigations into suspected organ transplant malpractice. “The ministry will not tolerate such cases of malpractice as usual,” he said during a visit to KMPDC offices.
Duale also reaffirmed his commitment to key health reforms, including the rollout of the Taifa Care Model and the restructuring of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority to ensure a steady supply of essential medicines and equipment.
By pushing for quality training, tighter regulation, and greater accountability, Duale signaled a new chapter in Kenya’s healthcare system one that prioritizes patient safety and professional integrity at all levels.
