Duale: No Kenyan will sleep on a hospital floor again under SHA

Health CS Aden Duale speaking to resident in Kisumu on July 16, 2025./FAITH MATETE

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has vowed to end hospital overcrowding across the country, saying no Kenyan will be forced to sleep on the floor again under the new Social Health Authority (SHA) system.

Speaking during the launch of TaifaCare in Kisumu County on Wednesday, July 16, the CS said they have introduced bed capacity access rule, and hospitals whether public, private, or faith-based, must meet the minimum standard of care, including proper bed capacity.

 “We will not allow any Kenyan to sleep on the floor. Not in public, private, or faith-based hospitals. That era is gone,” Duale stated.

He emphasized that health facilities must now invest in more beds and expand infrastructure to accommodate growing patient numbers.

“If you want more patients, go buy more beds. If you have beds but no space, build more wards.”

Health CS Aden Duale and Kisumu Governor ANynag' Nyong'o  flag off the Social Health Authority caravan in Kisumu on July 16, 2025./FAITH MATETE

He added, “Three mothers who don’t know each other should never share a single bed. That story has come to an end,” he warned.

Duale revealed that the Ministry of Health has already shut down over 1,000 facilities across the country that failed to meet basic operational requirements and another 1,000 closures are planned in the coming month.

Facilities will only be allowed to operate based on their licensed status, from Level 2 dispensaries to Level 6 referral hospitals.

“You cannot claim to do more surgeries than Kenyatta or Jaramogi hospitals while operating in a tiny room. Either upgrade or close,” he said.

Health CS Aden Duale, Kisumu Governor Anyang’Nyong'o and health CEC Gregory Ganda at the SHA registration desk at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral hospital in Kisumu on July 16, 2025./FAITH MATETE

Duale also announced that starting next week, the ministry will implement a pharmaceutical product tracking system, dubbed the Medicine Code, to regulate drug dispensing.

Only certified pharmacists will be allowed to handle medications, and only drugs approved by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board will be permitted.

“There will be no fake drugs and no ghost pharmacists. If you are not licensed, you will not dispense,” he said, warning of resistance from illegal drug vendors.