Treat all patients equally, Public Health PS tells community health workers

Public Health PS Mary Muthoni addressing community health workers at Gichugu in Kirinyaga County/ALICE WAITHERA

Health PS Mary Muthoni has warned health workers against engaging in politics and urged them to observe a high level of professionalism when serving Kenyans. 

The PS stated that all Kenyans deserve access to the same level of health services regardless of their political affiliation or background.

Muthoni, who spoke while meeting community health workers in Gichugu, Kirinyaga county, specifically cautioned them against being drawn into local politics and encouraged them to undertake their duties without discrimination. 

In 2023, the county government flagged off over 1,200 community health workers who were equipped with health kits to reduce the number of patients seeking healthcare services in hospitals.

The PS said community health workers are pivotal in improving public health within communities but highlighted the need for them to ensure they serve all Kenyans equally. 

Community health workers help create awareness of diseases and their management at the grassroots level and are instrumental in health activities such as the diagnosis of chronic illnesses and ensuring patients access treatment.

“Health services are for everyone. We don’t have a patient for the county or national government or one from a high-end or humble family. People fall sick the same way and should be served equally,” she said.

Muthoni said the Quality of Care and Patient Safety Bill 2025, which is currently undergoing public participation, will enhance accountability while improving service delivery in the health sector. 

Once tabled in the National Assembly and adopted, the PS said the Bill will also improve access to justice for patients wrongly treated by health workers.

“Patients have been forced to contend with unsafe conditions and sometimes are tended to by unqualified professionals with devastating results. This Bill will help restore dignity and safety in our healthcare system,” she said.

The Bill proposes the establishment of the Quality Health Care and Patient Safety Authority, which will be charged with the responsibility of monitoring compliance and ensuring health workers and facilities observe the required healthcare standards.

She underscored the government’s commitment to fully implementing Universal Health Coverage, which she said has already been rolled out. Muthoni urged Kenyans to ensure they register under the Social Health Authority to access benefits offered through the Social Health Insurance Fund.

“SHA is working and we have seen the number of registrations rising. We want to ensure all members of the public are registered so they can access the right healthcare.”

The PS further called on youths to desist from engaging in activities that result in the destruction of public or private property. 

She said incidents of youths looting businesses during protests and stealing farm produce such as coffee and avocados cause suffering to Kenyans striving to better their lives and provide jobs for others.

Muthoni also called on the clergy to work with community leaders to provide guidance to the youths and dissuade them from harmful activities. 

“It’s important that we get back to our morals and I want to commend Kenyans who remained calm even after provocation during the protests,” she noted.

Theft of farm produce has been high in the county, with Kirinyaga East deputy county commissioner James Maina assuring residents that security agents will work together with the community to protect their harvests.