Duale Vows End to Hospital Floor Beds, Cracks Down on Clinics and Fake Drugs

Kisumu, Kenya – July 16, 2025:

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced firm reforms aimed at easing hospital overcrowding and tightening pharmaceutical safety under the Social Health Authority (SHA) during the launch of the TaifaCare programme in Kisumu County.

🏥 Ban on floor beds & stricter facility audits

• A “bed capacity access rule” now requires public, private, and faith-based hospitals to guarantee enough beds for all patients—no one should sleep on the floor or share a bed with a stranger  .

• Duale warned that institutions lacking space or beds must either expand wards or close. Over 1,000 facilities have already been shut, and another 1,000 face closure if they fail compliance  .

• He emphasised, “If you want more patients, go buy more beds. If you have beds but no space, build more wards.”

💊 Medicine Code tracking to eliminate counterfeits

• A Medicine Code digital system will be rolled out beginning next week, ensuring only certified pharmacistsdispense Pharmacy and Poisons Board–approved medicines  .

• The CS declared, “There will be no fake drugs and no ghost pharmacists. If you are not licensed, you will not dispense.”

📊 Digital rollout & anti-fraud push

• The launch also spotlighted SHA’s digital health transformation: real-time tracking of patient registrations, prescriptions, and clinic visits—over 23.6 million Kenyans are already enrolled  .

• A new Health Information Exchange is planned by October 1 to digitise all public facilities  .

✅ Why it matters for Kenyans

💡 The Road Ahead

CS Duale’s SHA reforms signal a bold shift in Kenyan health care—focusing on patient dignity, quality standards, and digital transparency. But success hinges on effective enforcement:

• Will rural and private facilities secure funds to upgrade?

• Can the Medicine Code system reach small-town pharmacies?

• Will digital audits expose cover-ups or fraudulent billing?