DUALE PROMISES DIGITISATION

The Ministry of Health has announced a significant overhaul of healthcare regulation, introducing a nationwide digital system to track and verify all medical practitioners and health procedures.

During a consultative meeting with Development Partners in Health Kenya (DPHK), Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale revealed that, as part of the government’s digitization push, only accredited and registered professionals will be authorized to offer healthcare services.

He emphasized that digitization will improve service delivery, facilitate telemedicine, monitor the distribution of medical products, and guarantee that only qualified practitioners are allowed to operate.

This measure is a key component of the Digital Health Act, which requires the registration, coordination, and oversight of all health systems—including personnel—through the newly formed Digital Health Agency.

The initiative aims to tackle the growing issue of unlicensed practitioners and fraudulent clinics that exploit regulatory weaknesses, particularly in underserved urban and rural areas.Once implemented, the digital system will mandate that healthcare workers register in a centralized database, confirming their credentials, licensure, and specialization. Patients at both public and private facilities will be able to verify their provider’s accreditation, improving transparency and safety. However, the system may also reveal disparities in workforce distribution and certification standards across different regions.

He stressed the importance of collaboration, aligned funding, and shared accountability for effective healthcare delivery. The ministry pledged to formalize partnerships under the guiding principles of “one national plan, one budget, and one monitoring and evaluation framework.”