Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced a major crackdown on fake doctors, unlicensed medical facilities, and healthcare providers who are using illegal methods to get money from the national insurance program under the new Social Health Authority (SHA).
He said the ministry is determined to restore order and accountability in the health sector and will involve law enforcement agencies in this operation.
Speaking on Monday, April 14, during a meeting with the Council of Governors (COG) Health Committee, Duale emphasized that the ministry will no longer tolerate corruption, fraud, or unqualified individuals working in the medical field.
He noted that joint efforts with other government bodies will be used to deal with cases of fraud and criminal activity.
The CS also revealed that the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has been instructed to take a firm stand and stop registering fake or nonexistent health facilities and unqualified medical workers.
He said the council must step up and ensure only legal and qualified institutions are allowed to operate.
“The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council must stop operating as if things are normal. They can no longer approve hospitals that don’t exist or allow changes in the level of a facility without proper verification.
This will not be tolerated anymore,” Duale said. “Some of these issues do not fall under my ministry’s direct control, but I will forward them to the relevant bodies such as the criminal justice system for action,” he added.
According to Duale, several health facilities across the country have already been flagged for investigation due to suspicious activities and fraudulent claims.
He shared an example from earlier that same day, where a hospital claimed to have conducted ten surgeries.
However, when the doctor they listed as the one who performed them was contacted, he said he had never even been to that county, which raised immediate red flags.
“This is just one case from today, but we have more. I want to make it clear that this kind of fraud will not be allowed. We are taking this seriously and action will be taken,” he said.
Duale also promised that his ministry will closely work with county governments to ensure honesty, transparency, and integrity in the healthcare system.
He stressed that the well-being of Kenyans must be protected and that citizens deserve high-quality and trustworthy medical services.
Recognizing the importance of healthcare workers in the successful rollout of the SHA, Duale assured that the government will address the concerns and challenges facing medical personnel.
He pledged to support them and ensure that human resource issues in the sector are handled properly.
As part of efforts to improve service delivery, Duale mentioned that the Digital Health Agency will review the health information systems being used in counties.
The agency will help fast-track the process of digitizing healthcare services across all 47 counties in Kenya, which will improve record-keeping, monitoring, and accountability.
He also stated that from next month, the ministry will begin a nationwide public education campaign to help Kenyans understand the role of the SHA in the new health financing model.
The aim is to create public awareness and support for the changes being introduced.
“These reforms are in line with the broader vision of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which is designed to strengthen Kenya’s health system, making it more responsive and able to meet the needs of every citizen,” Duale concluded.
Join Our Political Forum official 2025 WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
