It won't be business as usual, Duale warns non-compliant health facilities

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has directed the Clinical Officers Council (COC) to re-inspect all unqualified and non-compliant health facilities in the country.

Speaking during a meeting with COC leadership at Afya House in Nairobi on Tuesday, Duale stated that the renewed inspections aim to uphold compliance.

He warned that any malpractice by compliance officers would attract legal consequences.

‘’All these facilities are to be inspected again. It is a good thing for you. You must inspect all the facilities and constantly check,’’ said the CS.

“It will not be business as usual,” he added.

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He also urged the Council to collaborate with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) in the issuance of licenses.

‘’The CEO; you must go and sit with the CEO of the other council and find a way of working together. There's no way his inspection team can deny a facility a licence, and then give you the license...no way,’’ he said.

He added, “We won’t allow it, especially when conflicting reports reach us. If we see your two regulatory bodies contradicting each other, you will need to decide whether you're a regulator, a union, or an activist.”

The Health CS further called on the Council to uphold integrity and transparency in line with Section 33(2) of the 2023 Social Health Insurance Act, noting the importance of accessible, safe, and quality healthcare for all Kenyans.

Officials present at the meeting included Medical Services PS Ouma Oluga, Public Health PS Mary Muthoni, Health Director-General Patrick Amoth, KMPDC Chair Stanley Khainga, and CEO David Kariuki, among others.