Propaganda won’t stop healthcare reforms - Duale

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has vowed not to relent in his pursuit to implement reforms in the healthcare sector.

Duale dismissed recent criticism facing the Social Health Authority, terming it as propaganda and blackmail aimed at derailing the government’s efforts to reform the healthcare system.

Speaking on Monday, Duale said those opposed to the Social Health Authority (SHA) had mobilised groups, including sections of the media, to sabotage the reforms. 

He, however, insisted the government would not be distracted. 

The CS said that the work of fixing will continue regardless of the noise.

“No amount of propaganda or blackmail will deter us from fixing our healthcare system. We know saboteurs of SHA have recruited several groups, including some sections of the media, to advance their agenda. Let them be warned: We are fixing this thing regardless of the noise,” Duale said.

The CS reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to ensuring all Kenyans have access to quality, affordable, and dignified healthcare.

He noted that the reform agenda was still in its early stages but stressed that the government would not relent.

“Our work has just begun. We will not rest until every Kenyan has access to quality, affordable, and dignified healthcare, free from the burden of fraud,” he said.

The SHA is a key pillar of President William Ruto’s universal healthcare agenda, designed to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). 

The authority is expected to streamline medical cover for Kenyans, eliminate inefficiencies, and seal loopholes for corruption..

In another clarification on Monday, Duale dismissed claims of Social Health Authority payments to ghost hospitals.

He said flagged claims circulating on social media regarding certain facilities, stating that the majority of them were already closed in May.

He said that many facilities were closed, suspended, or downgraded, calling on the public to verify the information by checking the website of the regulator or DHA.

"The facilities you found circulating on social media are facilities that the majority of them were closed in May, some were suspended, some were downgraded. What Kenyans on social media are telling us is information that we already have," Duale said.

“I want genuine Kenyans who come to us every day, who report to us every day, who have become our whistleblower and what they tell us is exactly what our system, our forensic auditors have picked.”