Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has issued a stern warning about the growing threat of counterfeit and substandard drugs infiltrating Kenya’s healthcare system, emphasizing that the crisis is directly costing lives and eroding public trust. Speaking in Nairobi during the Performance Contract signing ceremony for the 2024/2025 financial year, Duale strongly condemned the continued entry of low-quality medical products into the country, holding corruption responsible for this dangerous trend. His remarks underscored a broader concern over systemic failures that are undermining Kenya’s healthcare delivery, despite increased government investment in the sector.
Duale expressed frustration with the persistence of high maternal mortality rates, challenging health regulators and medical professionals to reflect on why Kenyan women are still dying during childbirth while neighboring countries record better outcomes. He pointedly questioned the effectiveness of the drugs being administered in life-threatening situations, suggesting that some medications in circulation are not only substandard but outright ineffective. “It is because the drug we use to stop them (mothers) from bleeding is the wrong drug,” he declared, casting a spotlight on regulatory lapses and urging officials to choose national interest over personal gain.
The Health CS’s remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of Kenya’s public health sector, as it grapples with limited resources and shifting priorities. The implementation of the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), branded TaifaCare, places additional demands on the Ministry to ensure efficient, transparent, and quality healthcare delivery. Duale urged all regulatory agencies and semi-autonomous government bodies under the Ministry of Health to embrace a culture of accountability, innovation, and integrity to meet these rising expectations.
In addressing the current challenges, Duale also cited the recent “Stop Work Order” by the United States Government, which takes effect from January 19, 2025. This development, he noted, further complicates the Ministry’s ability to secure external support and heightens the urgency of domestic reform. Duale emphasized that with limited international backing, Kenyan institutions must now be more efficient and resource-conscious than ever before.
A key part of Duale’s message centered on the importance of performance-based management in government operations. He explained that performance contracting is not merely a bureaucratic exercise but a tool to align individual and institutional goals with national priorities. By setting measurable targets, the government can track progress and identify areas needing improvement. According to Duale, regular performance evaluation and data-driven reporting will be critical in building a results-oriented culture within the Ministry and its affiliated bodies.
The Health CS called on sector leaders to ensure timely and accurate reporting, and to empower the Ministry’s Planning Department with the tools it needs to succeed. With the stakes high and public expectations mounting, Duale’s firm stance sends a clear message that the government intends to crack down on malpractices that endanger lives. His address was both a wake-up call and a rallying cry for reform, accountability, and zero tolerance for corruption in Kenya’s health sector.
