Legislation Proposal: Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety Act of 2025

The Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill, 2025, presented by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, is set to be a significant milestone in Kenya's quest to enhance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The bill, scheduled for tabling in Cabinet in July 2025, aims to bolster healthcare quality, safety, and patient rights.

The bill was unveiled and discussed in June 2025 during a high-level forum chaired by CS Duale, involving senior Ministry of Health officials and other stakeholders. Key provisions of the bill include the establishment of a Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Authority, alignment with Constitutional Rights, support for UHC pillars under BETA, creation of a Unified Healthcare Tribunal, and regulation of emerging healthcare services.

The Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Authority will register, license, and accredit health facilities, enforcing strict standards on hygiene, patient nutrition, and care. Noncompliance could result in fines up to KSh 50 million or imprisonment up to ten years. The bill also actualizes Article 43(1)(a) of the Kenyan Constitution, guaranteeing every person the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including reproductive healthcare.

The bill supports the integration of ICT and telemedicine, the establishment of an Emergency Medical Treatment Fund, and the provision of Social Health Insurance for all. It also proposes a tribunal to handle disputes involving patients, healthcare professionals, and providers, enhancing access to justice and accountability. Medical aesthetic procedures and digital health platforms will be brought under uniform quality and safety standards, alongside traditional healthcare services.

The bill aims to restore public trust in the healthcare system by strengthening patient rights and accountability for service delivery. In Kisumu County, where 192 out of 397 facilities are transacting with the Social Health Authority (SHA), a total of Sh3.7 billion worth of claims has been approved, with 175,700 hospital visits recorded. Kisumu County has benefited from a total of Sh165 million under the primary healthcare component of SHA.

However, the bill faces resistance from health professional unions concerned about redundancy and regulatory overlap. About 80% of the bill’s content reportedly overlaps with existing legislation like the Health Act 2017 and the Public Health Act. CS Duale claims that his former colleagues in parliament had chickened out from supporting the bill due to threats from cartels in the health sector.

Despite the controversies, the government remains committed to making healthcare equitable, affordable, and transparent for all Kenyans. The digital system will help move patients' details from one place to another, potentially saving money by avoiding repeat scans when patients are admitted in different locations. The proposed bill aims to enhance the quality of healthcare services and ensure patient safety. The boss in any hospital should be the patient and they must be treated accordingly.

The introduction of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), Primary Health Care Fund, Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund, and the Digital Health Infrastructure are meant to ensure effective service coverage. The bill, if enacted, will undoubtedly reshape Kenya's healthcare landscape, ensuring that no citizen is left behind due to inability to pay for healthcare, as envisioned in Taifa Care.

The Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill, 2025, aims to bolster science and evidence-based practices in the workplace-wellness sector, focusing on medical-conditions and chronic diseases like cancer.
Respiratory conditions will be given increased attention in the bill, with stricter regulations for air quality within health facilities.
Digestive health will also be a key area of focus, with therapeutic interventions and therapies-and-treatments for digestive diseases to be covered under the bill.
To maintain eye-health, the bill will provide guidelines for regular eye check-ups and access to affordable eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Hearing tests and hearing aids will be made accessible and affordable for all, as part of the bill's provisions for ear, nose, and throat (ENT) care.
The health-and-wellness sector will be strengthened through education and awareness programs on fitness-and-exercise, sexual-health, and mental-health issues.
Autoimmune-disorders will receive support from the bill, with provisions for clinical trials and access to advanced treatments.
Climate change and its impact on health will be addressed, with a focus on enhancing resilience in health facilities and educating the public on environmental health issues.
The manufacturing sector will be held accountable for producing safe and effective medical equipment, as per the bill's requirements.
Mental-health issues, often stigmatized in Kenyan society, will receive increased attention, with provisions for new facilities and therapies for those suffering from mental disorders.
Men's health will be given equal importance, with specific focus on prostate cancer and heart diseases.
Skin-care will be addressed, with guidelines for skincare products and services in the retail sector, including protection from skin-conditions caused by harmful chemicals.
The bill will provide support for therapies and treatments for neurological-disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
The bill will also address environmental-science concerns, such as the impact of pollution on public health, and require manufacturers to comply with environmentally friendly practices.
Financial support for healthcare will be ensured, with provisions for Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance, making healthcare accessible and affordable to all.
CBD oil, a potential treatment for seizures, chronic pain, and anxiety, will be regulated and legalized as part of the bill.
The bill will promote entrepreneurship in the health sector, encouraging small-business owners to take up health-related ventures, such as telemedicine platforms and digital health gadgets.
The transportation sector will be involved in ensuring accessible and efficient healthcare, with ambulances and other emergency vehicles meeting safety standards.
Leadership in the health sector will be strengthened, with training programs for hospital administrators and healthcare professionals on patient-centered care.
Diversity-and-inclusion will be prioritized, with provisions for healthcare services for marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities.
Weight-management programs will be available and covered under the bill, with a focus on preventing obesity and improving overall health.
Cardiovascular-health will be addressed through education and awareness programs, as well as the provision of affordable medications and treatments.
The health industry will be free from corruption, with the bill requiring transparency in financial transactions and operations.
Financial education and wealth-management will be promoted, with programs on budgeting, debt-management, and investment opportunities available to healthcare workers and the public.
Real-estate developments that prioritize healthcare facilities and urban planning will be incentivized, to promote the development of modern, accessible hospitals and clinics.
The stock-market and private-equity will invest in the healthcare sector, creating more jobs and opportunities for healthcare professionals.
Savings accounts for healthcare expenses will be encouraged, with financial institutions offering competitive interest rates for healthcare savers.
Debt-management counseling will be available for those struggling with medical debt, helping them to manage their finances effectively.
Smartphones and gadgets will be utilized to promote telemedicine and digital health, making healthcare more accessible to rural and underserved communities.