Duale raises alarm over rising maternal deaths, pushes for tougher hospital safety rules
By Kiprono Keileb, November 20, 2025Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has placed the spotlight back on the country’s struggling maternal and newborn health outcomes, urging hospitals to raise their standards and fully comply with safety rules meant to protect patients.
In a statement shared on X on Thursday, November 20, 2025, Duale spoke during the SafeCare Level 5 accreditation ceremony for AAR Hospital’s outpatient centre, a recognition that marks years of effort by the facility to meet global standards of patient safety.
“Speaking during the SafeCare Level 5 accreditation ceremony for AAR Hospital’s outpatient centre, a globally recognised benchmark of excellence in quality and patient safety, the CS emphasised that the government remains steadfast in restoring public trust and reinforcing safety as the country advances towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” the statement reads
The Ministry noted that AAR Healthcare had earlier secured ISO 15189:2022 laboratory accreditation in April 2025, a move that strengthened the facility’s standing in clinical quality and accountability.
Duale added that the achievement will help raise the quality of care and improve efficiency, calling these areas key pillars of the government’s UHC agenda.
“The CS noted that this achievement will strengthen patient safety, raise the quality of care, bolster stakeholder confidence, and enhance operational efficiency through streamlined and cost-effective service delivery, core pillars of the 5th Administration’s UHC agenda,” the statement reads
But beyond the celebration, Duale shifted attention to a growing national concern: the rise in maternal and newborn deaths. He stressed that the fight to save mothers and babies demands better skills, reliable equipment, and strong infection control.
“Better outcomes demand skilled personnel, reliable equipment and blood supplies, and strong infection control, all central to the SafeCare accreditation process,” he said.
The Ministry highlighted that seven of AAR’s twenty-one outpatient centres have already reached the highest SafeCare level, showing how private hospitals can support national health goals.
“Seven of AAR’s twenty-one outpatient centres have now achieved the highest SafeCare certification level, demonstrating how private-sector excellence can reinforce national health priorities and support the objectives of the forthcoming Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill, 2025,” the statement reads
During a tour of the hospital’s 150-bed facility, which includes an ICU, HDU, NICU, and dialysis units, Duale acknowledged investments in modern equipment and digital systems aimed at improving patient safety.
“During a guided tour of the 150-bed facility, which hosts a 12-bed Intensive Care Unit, High Dependency Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Dialysis departments, the CS commended the hospital’s substantial investment in modern equipment, clinical excellence, and integrated digital systems designed to uphold patient safety and quality of care,” the statement reads