Government Scales Up Digital Health Reform to Drive Accountability and Efficiency
𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢, 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 - The Government has significantly accelerated Kenya’s digital health transformation as part of the Taifa Care Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiative, Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has announced.
Speaking during a media briefing at Afya House, CS Duale noted that the ongoing digitization process led by the Digital Health Agency is central to cleaning up inefficiencies, eliminating fraud, and enhancing service delivery.
“Digital transformation is the backbone of an efficient and transparent healthcare system. We are eliminating paper records and tracking every drug and patient interaction in real-time,” said CS Duale.
The Comprehensive Integrated Health Information System is now operational in 17 counties, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Nandi, and Garissa, with rollout expanding to Homabay, Kisumu, Nakuru, Lamu, and others in the coming weeks. All aspects of healthcare—from facility operations to patient records—are being digitized.
Among the milestones:
•Over 728 ghost or unlicensed facilities have been closed.
•301 facilities have been downgraded for non-compliance.
•The Afya Yangu platform now enables portability of patient data across health facilities.
•Over 3 million fake individuals previously listed under NHIF have been eliminated.
•Regulatory bodies like KMPDC have been fully integrated to ensure all practitioners and facilities meet licensing standards.
“We are ensuring that every health facility and health worker is traceable, compliant, and accountable,” the CS affirmed.
The digitization drive also includes a track-and-trace medicine system to prevent the distribution of counterfeit drugs and curb the diversion of publicly financed medical commodities.
The CS was accompanied by Principal Secretaries Dr Ouma Oluga (Medical Services) and Ms Mary Muthoni (Public Health), CEO SHA Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, CEO KEMSA Ejersa Dr Waqo, and CEO DHA Eng. Antony Lenaiyara, Director General of Health Dr Patrick Amoth among other ministry officials.