Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale meets with the National Quality Control Laboratory (NQCL) Board of Management to discuss strengthening quality assurance in support of Universal Health Coverage/XHealth Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, on Thursday, November 6, hosted the Board of Management of the National Quality Control Laboratory (NQCL) for a high-level engagement aimed at accelerating Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through quality-assured health commodities and technologies.
The meeting, chaired by Dr John Muturi, focused on strengthening NQCL’s institutional effectiveness to support Kenya’s progress toward attaining World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 3 (ML3) for health product regulation.
Achieving ML3, according to officials, will ensure Kenya meets global standards of quality, safety, and efficacy, reinforcing the country’s credibility in regulating health products and advancing the UHC agenda.
Duale highlighted NQCL’s critical role in protecting public health. He noted that ensuring all medical products meet required standards is an essential pillar of Kenya’s Taifa Care Model.
During the discussions, the participants reviewed persistent institutional challenges and identified strategies to enhance performance and service delivery.
The CS reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to supporting NQCL in fulfilling its mandate. He emphasised the importance of good governance, strategic coordination, performance measurement, and timely decision-making. He also called for regular reviews to track progress and ensure measurable outcomes.
In his remarks, Duale stressed the need to reduce laboratory turnaround time. He urged the leadership to meet the mandated 42 days, describing it as a key step in rebuilding client trust and strengthening institutional credibility.
“We remain resolute in our mission to safeguard the health and lives of all Kenyans,” he affirmed.
The meeting was attended by senior Ministry of Health officials, including Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Ms. Mary Muthoni, and Director-General for Health, Dr Patrick Amoth.
The session provided a platform for open dialogue on institutional capacity, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance in line with international best practices.
Officials said that attaining WHO ML3 certification will not only elevate Kenya’s regulatory framework but also enhance the reliability of health products used nationwide.
Strengthening NQCL’s capabilities is expected to directly support the government’s broader UHC goals, ensuring that all Kenyans have access to safe, effective, and quality medical products.
The engagement signals a renewed commitment to improving health service delivery and demonstrates the Ministry’s proactive approach in aligning national health institutions with global standards.
