Government Set to Strengthen Health Workforce Standards, says Duale
Health cabinet secretary Aden Duale.(Photo By Harrison Kivisu)
By Harrison Kivisu
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Mombasa, Kenya: Health cabinet secretary Aden Duale has announced that the government will officially roll out several key health sector reforms next Friday.
The reforms include the National Product Catalogue, Drug Formularies, National Logistics Management System, and Track-and-Trace Systems.
Speaking on Saturday, July 26, 2025 during a forum with members of the Kenya Pharmaceutical Association (KPA) in Mombasa, the CS says the new systems aim to eliminate counterfeit drugs, reduce wastage of public commodities, enhance accountability, and streamline the national supply chain.
“Beginning next week, all medicines dispensed to patients registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA) must be approved by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) and will only be dispensed by qualified professionals like those seated here today.”
He emphasized that the era of counterfeit medicines and unlicensed practitioners was coming to an end.
“We count on KPA and your members to support these reforms by embracing technology and transparent practices.”
The secretary also confirmed that the Ministry of Health has deployed medical interns across the country in alignment with national workforce capacity plans.
“We appreciate the county governments and facility managers who have collaborated with us to onboard and mentor these young professionals effectively.”
As Kenya advances toward a more integrated and responsive healthcare system under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework, he noted that the health workforce must align its competencies with the evolving demands of modern healthcare.
“The Ministry values mid-level professionals and acknowledges their long-standing contribution to service delivery. At the same time, we encourage all health workers to pursue further training and specialization to meet international standards and the constitutional promise of the highest attainable standard of health for every Kenyan.”
In line with the Kenya Health Policy (2014–2030) and commitments under the World Health Organisation global strategy on human resources for health, the ministry is investing in skill development across areas such as quality assurance, pharmacovigilance, digital health, and localized pharmaceutical manufacturing.
“This is not about exclusion but about pursuing excellence. We must shift from minimum qualifications to aspirational standards to provide equitable, evidence-based care.”
The CS added that the ministry was supporting postgraduate specialist training based on needs assessments and budgetary considerations to ensure equitable access to skilled healthcare professionals across all counties.
Duale also issued a strong warning to training institutions, stressing that all health-related academic programs — from certificate to degree level — must be aligned with the evolving needs of the health sector.
“Let me make this absolutely clear: programs that do not meet these criteria must be restructured in collaboration with regulators and the Commission for University Education. Failure to comply will result in non-licensing of your graduates.”
The ministry, according to him, is committed to working with all stakeholders — including training institutions, county governments, professional bodies like KPA, and regulatory agencies — to strengthen workforce planning, improve training quality, and ensure effective deployment.
These reforms are part of the government’s broader effort to deliver a robust, accountable, and future-ready healthcare system for all Kenyans.
