Health CS Hon. Aden Duale Appears Before Senate Health Committee on KMPDU Petition
๐๐๐ข๐ซ๐จ๐๐ข, ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Dualeย ย appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Health, chaired by Mandera Senator Ms. Mariam Sheikh, at Bunge Towers, Nairobi City County.
The session centered on a petition submitted by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), highlighting concerns over non-compliance with the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the non-remittance of the 2.75% statutory deductions by the Social Health Authority (SHA) intended for public health insurance coverage.
Hon. Duale underscored the critical role of human resources for health in the successful implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), reiterating the Ministry of Healthโs commitment to engaging all relevant stakeholders in addressing the issues raised. He affirmed the Ministryโs resolve to drive sustainable reforms within the fiscal limits of the national budget.
In the presence of KMPDU leadership, the Cabinet Secretary expressed his firm commitment to decisive, structured actionโincluding intensified enforcement against unqualified health practitioners operating illegally in the sector.
Hon. Duale informed the Committee that the Ministry will, beginning next month, roll out sensitisation programmes across counties to enhance public awareness on SHA and its role in the new health financing model.
The CS was accompanied by Principal Secretaries Ms. Mary Muthoni (Public Health and Professional Standards) and Mr. Harry Kimtai (Medical Services), Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, and a delegation from the Council of Governors (CoG) led by Nyeri Governor and CoG Vice Chairperson H.E. Mutahi Kahiga. Also present was Mr. Richard Obiga, Assistant Director, State Department for Social Protection and Citizen Affairs.