Duale roots for full digitization to end health sector fragmentation

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending fragmentation in the health sector by implementing a fully digitized system.

Speaking during a high-level consultative meeting with Development Partners in Health, Kenya (DPHK) in Nairobi, Duale said all existing and future health systems must be certified and coordinated under the newly established Digital Health Agency, as outlined in the Digital Health Act.

The CS noted that digitization will enhance service delivery, enable telemedicine, track and trace health products to end users, and ensure only qualified professionals provide care.

“We are building an integrated digital framework to align donor support with national goals and ensure long-term sustainability,” he said.

Duale also noted that the government’s digitization push supports broader Universal Health Coverage (UHC) reforms under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

He outlined six pillars underpinning Kenya’s UHC progress which include, publicly financed primary health care, a rights-based social health insurance model, transparent digital systems, strengthened emergency and referral services, sustainable health commodity security, and a motivated, well-distributed workforce.

The CS underscored the need for coordinated efforts, aligned investments, and joint accountability, which he termed essential for effective health delivery.

He committed to institutionalising the existing partnership framework based on the principles of “one national plan, one budget, and one monitoring and evaluation framework.”

Duale commended DPHK for their role in policy dialogue, financing, technical expertise, and capacity building, and called for structured alignment to replace fragmented goodwill.