Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has urged the Clinical Officers Council (COC) to enforce strict regulatory standards as the Ministry of Health advances reforms under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework.
In a high-level meeting held on Wednesday morning with COC leadership, chaired by Prof. Samuel Kang’ethe, CS Duale emphasized the Council’s legal and ethical obligation to ensure integrity, transparency, and accountability in licensing and professional oversight. Citing Section 33(2) of the 2023 Social Health Insurance Act, he called for evidence-based regulation to safeguard public health.
“Do not license any clinical officer trained in an institution that has not been duly merited, inspected, and audited by the Council,” said Duale. “Safeguarding the standards of training and professional practice is paramount to ensuring the health and safety of the public.”
The CS directed the Council to re-inspect all currently licensed health facilities and submit detailed reports to the Ministry to reinforce accountability across the healthcare sector.
Duale also called for full digitization of COC operations to support real-time oversight and minimize malpractice. This aligns with the Ministry’s broader Digital Health Strategy, spearheaded by the newly established Digital Health Agency.
In a show of support, the CS assured the Council of the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening coordination and accelerating policy reforms, particularly around the rollout of the Taifa Care Model. The model is a flagship initiative under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), intended to make quality healthcare accessible to all Kenyans.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, and Acting CEO of the Digital Health Agency Mr. Anthony Lenaiyara attended the meeting.