Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has urged Ministry of Health staff to put patients at the heart of healthcare delivery, emphasising respect, professionalism, and teamwork as key pillars of Kenya’s ongoing health sector transformation.
Speaking during an inaugural staff meeting in Nairobi, Duale reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing quality, accessible, and people-focused healthcare services for all Kenyans, anchored on Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“Our approach must always be patient-first,” the Cabinet Secretary said.
“Every action we take, every decision we make, should be guided by how it impacts the lives and well-being of Kenyans. This calls for unity, respect, and professionalism across all levels of our health system.”
Duale stressed that the success of Kenya’s healthcare system depends on open communication, collaboration, and mutual respect among all Ministry staff. He noted that efficiency must go hand in hand with compassion in delivering public health services.
“Let’s build a workplace culture that values teamwork, transparency, and accountability,” he added.
“When we work together and uphold integrity, we not only strengthen our Ministry but also the trust Kenyans place in us.”
The Cabinet Secretary underscored the importance of upholding public service values outlined in Article 232 of the Constitution — transparency, professionalism, integrity, and accountability — describing them as “the compass that guides quality health service delivery.”
Duale reiterated that the Ministry’s work aligns with President William Ruto’s vision of transforming Kenya into a first-world nation, noting that health is a critical enabler within the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), alongside economic reform, industrialisation, and investment in education, technology, and agriculture.
The meeting brought together staff from various departments to discuss teamwork, problem-solving, and alignment with the Ministry’s strategic goals.
Duale called for a patient-first culture and equity in healthcare delivery, warning against a two-tier system where some Kenyans receive top-quality services while others struggle to access basic care.
He emphasised that equitable healthcare is not merely a government promise but a constitutional right and a moral responsibility.
His vision includes strengthening the Ministry’s capacity to prevent and manage non-communicable diseases and ensuring that healthcare workers are fairly represented in decision-making processes to enhance service delivery.
In conclusion, Duale commended the Ministry of Health staff for their dedication to safeguarding the nation’s health and urged continued collaboration to achieve Kenya’s health transformation goals.
The meeting was co-chaired by Principal Secretaries Ouma Oluga (Medical Services) and Mary Muthoni (Public Health and Professional Standards).
