Duale Announces Sweeping Hospital Reforms After Tragic KNH Death

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has unveiled urgent reforms in the country’s national referral hospitals following the death of a young patient at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on July 11.

In a press briefing after a crisis meeting with CEOs of national hospitals, Duale said the government is taking immediate action to restore public trust in the health system and ensure patient safety is prioritized.

He announced that all referral hospitals will now enforce stricter security protocols, including limiting the number of visitors to two per patient and mandatory screening at all entry points.

These measures, he noted, are in response to growing concerns raised by hospital leadership about safety gaps in patient care.

Duale further revealed that a nationwide quality assurance protocol is being rolled out to ensure higher standards of service delivery. This includes conducting regular patient safety rounds, improving how complaints are handled and escalated, creating anonymous channels for feedback, and offering ongoing staff training on patient rights and safety.

The CS made it clear that any cases of negligence will be met with swift and firm disciplinary action. He emphasized that the dignity and welfare of patients must never be compromised under any circumstance.

In a bid to support patients who have been abandoned at hospitals, Duale said the Ministry will collaborate with the Ministry of Interior and local community leaders to help trace families, facilitate dignified discharges, and provide appropriate care for vulnerable individuals.

“Our healthcare system must reflect compassion, accountability, and safety. What happened at KNH is unacceptable and must never happen again,” Duale stated.