By Diana Arodi
The Ministry of Health recently held a strategic engagement with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Kenya’s National Teaching and Referral Hospitals to improve coordination, service delivery and patient care across public health facilities.
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale led the forum, emphasizing the need for ethical governance, accountability and accurate data in hospital operations.
“We need governance standards that reflect the vital roles these institutions play in delivering quality healthcare,” said CS Duale during a visit to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on June 4, 2025 (Ministry of Health).
He raised concerns over patient overcrowding and directed strict enforcement of the Social Health Authority (SHA) bed capacity rule to ensure hospitals report accurate bed numbers to the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).
“It is unacceptable for patients to sleep on the floor or share beds in our referral hospitals,” Duale stated firmly.
He also ordered the formalization of partnerships with teaching institutions through structured Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), aimed at maintaining high academic and training standards.
At a related meeting on June 7, 2025, Duale called on referral hospitals to collaborate with Centres of Excellence, particularly in areas like cancer care.
“There is an importance of strategic collaboration, resource sharing, and digital transformation in making Kenya a regional hub for health excellence and medical tourism,” said Duale, during the launch of the country’s new 11 MeV cyclotron machine (Kenyans.co.ke).
The meeting was attended by top health officials, including Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga, Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, and CEOs from regulatory bodies such as Dr. Waqo Erjesa (KEMSA), Dr. David Kariuki (KMPDC), Dr. Mercy Mwangangi (SHA) and Eng. Anthony Lenaiyara (DHA).
Also present were leaders from referral hospitals, including Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Kenyatta University Teaching, Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH), JOOTRH, and MKRH.
This engagement reinforces the Ministry’s focus on transparency, service quality, and equitable resource distribution in Kenya’s healthcare system.