AKMLSO

PRESS RELEASE: HEALTH SECTOR CAUCUS REJECTS DRAFT QUALITY HEALTHCARE & PATIENT SAFETY BILL, 2025 Dated: 18th June 2025 Kenya’s major health unions and associations have spoken out strongly against the proposed Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill, 2025, citing major concerns: Key Concerns: 1. Duplication & Confusion – The bill replicates existing laws like the Health Act 2017, leading to overlap and inefficiency. 2. Weak Quality Assurance – The bill lacks a proper verification mechanism, risking continued corruption and poor healthcare standards. 3. Interference with Professional Scopes – Shifting control of scopes of practice from professional boards to the Director General is seen as retrogressive. 4. Unnecessary Bureaucracy – Introducing a new authority undermines the existing Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority (KHPOA), which remains underutilized. 5. Violation of Cabinet Directives – The bill defies the 2025 Kakamega Cabinet Resolution that discouraged duplicative institutions due to fiscal constraints. The Real Issues Affecting Healthcare: i) Underfunding in health budgets ii) Critical staff shortages iii) Frequent strikes and demoralization iv) Poor coordination between national & county governments v) Weak digital infrastructure vi) Political interference The Health Sector Caucus Demands: 1. Immediate withdrawal of the 2025 Bill and instead amend the Health Act 2017. 2. 15% health budget allocation as per the Abuja Declaration. 3. Employment of 12,000 health workers annually. 4. Full implementation of Health Act 2017 including KHPOA. 5. Enforcement of Collective Bargaining Agreements to prevent strikes. @kUCOofficial @knumlo_official @citizentvkenya @KCOA_Official @akmlso @ntvkenya @Senate_KE @NAssemblyKE @KNUPT1 @KunadOfficial