By Contributor
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale today convened a high-level meeting with the leadership of the Clinical Officers Council (COC), led by Chairperson Prof. Samuel Kang’ethe, to discuss strategic regulatory reforms aimed at enhancing healthcare quality and patient safety under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
Citing Section 33(2) of the 2023 Social Health Insurance Act, CS Duale emphasized the Council’s mandate to uphold integrity, transparency, and evidence-based regulation in the licensing and oversight of clinical officers and training institutions.
In a firm directive, the CS ordered the COC not to license any clinical officer trained in institutions that have not been accredited through proper merit-based inspection and auditing processes. “Safeguarding the quality of training and professional standards is non-negotiable if we are to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our citizens,” said CS Duale.
To bolster accountability, he instructed the Council to conduct a nationwide re-inspection of all currently licensed health facilities and submit comprehensive reports to the Ministry.
Held a strategic meeting with the leadership of the Clinical Officers Council (COC), led by Chairperson Prof. Samuel Kang'ethe, to advance key regulatory reforms in line with the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
Invoking Section 33(2) of the 2023 Social Health Insurance… pic.twitter.com/2vuwjqfbkd
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) April 23, 2025
Additionally, he called for the full digitization of COC operations in line with the Ministry’s Digital Health Strategy and the Digital Health Agency mandate, to promote real-time oversight and eliminate malpractice.
The CS also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the Council in enhancing coordination, driving policy reforms, and rolling out the Taifa Care Model—a key pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The meeting was attended by key health sector leaders, including PS Public Health Ms. Mary Muthoni, Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, and Acting CEO of the Digital Health Agency, Mr. Anthony Lenaiyara.
