Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has officially opened the 53rd Kenya Medical Association (KMA) Annual Scientific Conference, underscoring the government’s commitment to transforming the country’s healthcare system through innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable financing.
The conference, held under the theme “Beyond resilience: Building smart, connected and inclusive health systems,”brings together local and international stakeholders to chart the future of healthcare in Kenya.
The theme aligns closely with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which is driving key reforms aimed at accelerating progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
At the core of these reforms is the Social Health Authority (SHA), which has so far registered over 30.4 million Kenyans.
According to the CS, the authority has mobilised KSh 169.19 billion in contributions and disbursed KSh 124.53 billion to more than 10,600 health facilities nationwide—significantly strengthening healthcare financing and expanding access to services.
The Ministry of Health is also advancing the rollout of a Comprehensive Integrated Health Information Management System designed to support a connected and data-driven healthcare ecosystem.
Through the national health information exchange, 10,646 facilities have been linked, with 4,149 public facilities onboarded onto the Taifa Care system. This effort is supported by over 30,000 digital devices aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
In addition, reforms in Health Products and Technologies are enhancing service delivery, with strengthened systems at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) improving last-mile distribution of essential medical commodities.
The National Equipment Support Project (NESP), funded with KSh 6.18 billion, has equipped 120 facilities across all 47 counties, expanding access to specialised healthcare services.
On human resources, the CS highlighted ongoing efforts to develop a Health Workforce Policy to strengthen staffing across the sector.
This is being complemented by the work of a Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group focused on aligning training and competencies with the demands of a digital and UHC-driven health system.
Legislative reforms are also underway. The proposed Quality of Care and Patient Safety Bill, 2025—currently before the National Assembly—seeks to enhance patient rights, dignity, and safety. Meanwhile, reviews of key laws, including the Health Act, Public Health Act, Cancer Prevention and Control Act, Pharmacy and Poisons Act, and Mental Health Act, are expected to modernise the country’s legal framework for healthcare.
The conference has drawn a diverse group of delegates from Kenya and beyond, reinforcing collaboration between the government and the medical community in building a resilient, equitable, and people-centred health system.
