Health CS Duale Commissions Equipment and Drives Digital Health Progress in Kisumu
𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐮, 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 - 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale commissioned the CT Scan and Mammography machines at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu County, under the National Equipment Service Program (NESP).
The CS noted that JOOTRH is also earmarked for further upgrades, including MRI machines, dialysis units, and specialised surgical and laboratory services—interventions designed to bridge critical service gaps and expand equitable access to quality care in line with the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
On the Digital Health Transformation Agenda, the CS highlighted that Kisumu has automated 39 public health facilities and received 234 digital devices. Plans are underway to complete automation of the remaining 61 facilities this year through the TaifaCare Health Management Information System (HMIS). He emphasized that the Health Information Exchange will be central to enhancing care continuity, transparency, and patient empowerment—enabling Kenyans to access their health records, SHA eligibility, and payment status from anywhere.
Speaking to healthcare workers, the CS reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to implementing the bed capacity access rule, which aims to uphold patient dignity by ensuring that hospital admissions match facility capacity.
In his keynote remarks, Hon. Duale commended Kisumu County for leading the way in Social Health Authority (SHA) registration, with 598,000 people enrolled—representing 52% of the population. He further noted that 200,000 residents have undergone means testing, with an average contribution of KES 573. While acknowledging the growing public trust, he called for intensified sensitization to ensure that all registered individuals are fully covered and protected.