LAMU- Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accelerating the rollout of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), emphasizing the critical role of grassroots participation during a community engagement forum held in Lamu County.

Speaking to residents, health workers, and local leaders, CS Duale outlined the Ministry of Health’s four-pillar strategy under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA): digital health transformation, reliable access to essential medicines, strategic investment in healthcare workers, and sustainable, equitable health financing.

“Our focus is clear — a responsive, accessible, and people-centered healthcare system. We cannot achieve UHC from Nairobi alone. It must be rooted in communities like Lamu, with active citizen engagement,” said Duale.

In response to persistent concerns over drug shortages in public facilities, the CS announced sweeping reforms at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).

These include recapitalization and the establishment of a digitized, end-to-end supply chain with a national track-and-trace system to monitor every medical product from supplier to patient.

“The goal is a 100% order fill rate across all public health facilities. No Kenyan should suffer or die because of a lack of essential medicine,” Duale asserted.

Addressing maternal and child health challenges in the region, the CS urged families to prioritize routine immunization. Lamu currently has a childhood vaccination coverage rate of just 60%, which the Ministry aims to raise to 100%.

Officially unveiled key health infrastructure upgrades at King Fahad Hospital, Lamu County, including a new oxygen plant, 5-bed ICU, Timamy Suites and a 128-slice Fuji CT scan, Lamu's first advanced diagnostic unit, under Phase I of the National Equipment Service Program (NESP).… pic.twitter.com/cQJpz3UvEI

— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) July 3, 2025

“We lose too many mothers and children to preventable causes. Antenatal care, maternity services, and immunization are non-negotiable. County health teams must step up,” he said.

Duale further rallied community leaders — including county government officials, religious leaders, cultural elders, youth groups, and media — to support the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA). So far, over 70,000 individuals in Lamu have been registered under the new health financing framework.

“SHA is about fairness and dignity in healthcare. But it will only work if communities take ownership — to register, to demand services, and to hold the system accountable,” Duale emphasized.

The Health CS also issued a stern warning against unlicensed health practitioners and unethical operations within healthcare facilities. He vowed to protect public health funds and enforce professional standards across the board.

“We will not allow quackery or misuse of SHA resources. Every Kenyan has a right to safe, quality healthcare — and we will not compromise on that,” he said.

The visit to Lamu marks a continued effort by the Ministry of Health to localize national reforms and ensure that health transformation is not only policy-driven but also community-owned.