Over 728 ghost or unlicensed facilities have been closed - Duale

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced the closure of 728 ghost or unlicensed facilities.

Duale noted that this has been achieved through digitisation of the health Sector.

The CS was speaking during a media briefing at Afya House on Monday.

He said the closures are  part of a crackdown by the ministry, following inspections by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), Digital Health Agency (DHA), and Social Health Agency (SHA). 

The closed facilities were found to be operating without proper licensing, registration, or failing to meet minimum operational and safety standards. 

 “Digital transformation is the backbone of an efficient and transparent healthcare system,’’ he said.

The digital health transformation is part of the Taifa Care Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiative.

 Duale noted that the ongoing digitisation process led by the Digital Health Agency is central to cleaning up inefficiencies, eliminating fraud, and enhancing service delivery

He said that they are eliminating paper records and tracking every drug and patient interaction in real-time.

Some of the major milestones achieved include the downgrading of  301 facilities for non-compliance and over three million fake individuals previously listed under NHIF having been eliminated.

Similarly, the Afya Yangu platform now enables the portability of patient data across health facilities.

He further noted that regulatory bodies like KMPDC have been fully integrated to ensure all practitioners and facilities meet licensing standards.

Duale added that they are ensuring traceability of every health worker.

“We are ensuring that every health facility and health worker is traceable, compliant, and accountable,’’ Duale added.

The digitisation drive also includes a track-and-trace medicine system to prevent the distribution of counterfeit drugs and curb the diversion of publicly financed medical commodities.

The Comprehensive Integrated Health Information System is now operational in 17 counties.

Duale  issued a stern warning to rogue medical facilities across the country, saying the government will name and shame all unqualified and non-compliant health centres by June 14, 2025.

In May, KMPDC revealed that a total of 511 private health facilities across Mandera, Nairobi, and Wajir counties were shut down following a sweeping inspection by the regulatory body.

According to KMPDC CEO David Kariuki, multiple reasons were cited, including lack of basic infrastructure, poor sanitation, which led to their closure.