Duale rallies NGOs to support health sector overhaul
By Aloys Michael, July 9, 2025In a strategic meeting aimed at boosting Kenya’s health sector transformation, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale hosted a high-level delegation from the Health Non-Governmental Organisations Network (HENNET).
The meeting sets the stage for a unified health sector push that could significantly boost Kenya’s journey toward universal health coverage, especially for vulnerable and underserved populations.
It was led by Interim Chairperson Caroline Njuguna, centred on aligning Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) contributions with national health priorities under the government’s health agenda.
Speaking during the discussion on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Duale underscored the critical role NGOs play in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), noting that the ministry and HENNET must work together to create a more resilient and self-sustaining healthcare system.
“We explored key UHC areas, including domestic immunisation financing, maternal and child health, digital transparency and securing dedicated vaccine funds,” he stated.
The CS also shared milestones under the government’s ongoing health reforms, particularly those being implemented through the Taifa Care initiative.
“We are focused on integration, restoring patient dignity and ending the indignity of bed sharing in public hospitals,” Duale said.
Solidifying health reforms
To solidify this partnership, Duale proposed a set of concrete actions aimed at improving coordination and impact.
“I suggested a structured Ministry of Health–HENNET dialogue and performance tracking mechanism. We must also tap into HENNET’s strengths in cold chain training and community engagement,” he revealed.
Highlighting the importance of sustainable funding, Duale called for a major policy shift away from donor dependence.
“We must transition from donor reliance to resilient, locally funded systems anchored on strong partnerships, policy frameworks and citizen-driven accountability,” he said.
He further proposed joint advocacy and resource mobilisation efforts between the Ministry and HENNET to ensure long-term impact.
The meeting was also attended by key ministry officials, including Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, Director General for Health Patrick Amoth, and Director of Family Health Bashir Isaak.
With the government keen on transforming public health delivery, the engagement marks a new chapter in the collaboration between the state and non-state actors.
“Strong, structured partnerships with organisations like HENNET are essential if we are to deliver meaningful, citizen-centred health reforms under the BETA framework,” Duale asserted.