28 June 2025

Brief Summary

The Kenyan Ministry of Health is working on the Quality of Health Care Bill and patient safety measures. The bill aims to establish an agency to oversee patient care and quality, ensure patient rights, enforce national standards across all health facilities, and introduce a rating system to recognize high-standard facilities and help struggling ones improve. The goal is to protect patients, ensure they are treated with dignity, and provide avenues for addressing grievances.

• Focus on patient rights, safety, and quality of care.
• Establishment of an oversight agency for patient-related issues.
• Enforcement of uniform national standards across all health facilities.
• Introduction of a rating system for health facilities to promote improvement.

Introduction to the Quality of Health Care Bill

The Ministry of Health is conducting public participation for the Quality of Health Care Bill and patient safety initiatives. This bill complements existing legislation such as the Social Health Insurance Financing Act, the Digital Health Act, the Primary Healthcare Act, and the Facility Improvement Financing Act, which primarily focus on infrastructure, financing, and commodities. The new bill aims to protect patients by establishing an agency to oversee patient care and quality, ensuring clean facilities and dignified treatment.

Patient Rights and Redress Mechanisms

Every patient will have the right to safe care, privacy, informed consent, and avenues for complaints and redress. The ministry aims to address the issue of patients, such as pregnant mothers, being neglected in health facilities. As the regulator, the ministry will inspect facilities to ensure quality care is provided and address any issues raised by patients.

Enforcement of National Standards

The bill seeks to enforce national standards across all health facilities, regardless of ownership (public, faith-based, or private). Due to the devolved system of government, standards currently vary. The goal is to ensure that all facilities meet the same minimum quality standards.

Introduction of a Rating System for Health Facilities

A rating system will be introduced to recognize and reward high-standard facilities, while also identifying gaps in struggling facilities to promote improvement. This system aims to encourage all facilities to enhance their quality of care.