Kenya Strengthens Patient Safety Systems to Protect Newborns and Children
Nairobi , 2025 The Government is prioritizing patient safety as a foundation for Universal Health Coverage by rolling out the Community Health Strategy, the Primary Healthcare Fund, and the electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) to improve early detection, prevent medical errors, and strengthen accountability.
At the World Patient Safety Day Symposium, hosted by the Aga Khan University Hospital under the theme “Safe Care from the Start: Preventing Harm in Neonatal and Paediatric Patients,” Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, underscored the need to embed patient safety from delivery through a child’s early years. She noted progress in reducing child mortality but warned that preventable causes such as birth asphyxia, prematurity, and infections remain a challenge.
“Patient safety is not a checklist but a shared value,” she said, urging stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure safe, quality care.
The PS affirmed that protecting newborns and children is a true measure of the health system’s strength and a key step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.