Duale Allays Fears Of Shortage Of Critical Vaccines For Children
By John Kamau
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has allayed fears that key vaccines for children had run out, maintaining that there are enough stocks to last up to next month when new supplies will be brought in.
He downplayed reports that the country is facing acute shortage of vaccines for children terming them as unfounded.
The CS asserted that the only vaccines whose supply the Ministry was grappling with are BCG and polio which, however, he said will be restocked from next month.
“The only two vaccines I have a problem with are BCG and polio. We have paid for, we are working with UNICEF and still have stocks, but a stock that will cover for the next eight months will arrive on the 15th of June,” the CS said.
Duale spoke when he visited Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) to assess progress in advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and familiarize with achievements and challenges.
He was accompanied by the Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, officials from the Ministry of Health and KUTRRH management led by Board Chairman Dr Kembi Gitura and the Acting CEO Dr Zeinab Gura.
He at the same time divulged that the proposed budget cuts in the Ministry of Health will not affect critical services.
Duale disclosed that his Ministry is holding negotiations with the National Treasury to see to it that when the budget is read on June 12, none of the critical areas in the health sector will be affected.
During the visit, the CS was taken around the 64-bed ICU, 21-bed Cath Lab, Cancer Centre Annex with advanced CyberKnife and LINAC machines, the Integrated Molecular Imaging Center (IMIC) and the Transplant ICU, among others.
The CS said the hospital management had appealed for increased support to operationalize the New Cancer Centre, with a budget expansion of Sh 250 million, additional LINAC machines, stronger referral policies and timely SHA reimbursements to enhance services under Taifa Care.
Terming KUTRRH as a key pillar in universal health care provision, he said he will push for more funding in the crucial specialized treatment areas like oncology and kidney transplant surgery.
The CS also awarded certificates to nurses who pioneered the kidney transplants at the hospital as the country marks the International Nurses Week 2025.
At the same time, he said there is urgent need to establish a regulatory framework for organ donation and transplants amid reports of malpractice and unethical behavior by some health facilities.
“As access to transplant services increases, we must ensure that every procedure adheres to the highest standards of ethics, transparency and safety of both the donor and the patient,
“The Ministry is actively reviewing the existing laws and policies to ensure that the system is protected from abuse and that organic donation and transplantation are carried out in a just and accountable manner,” Duale stated.
Regarding the Social Health Authority (SHA) registration figures, Duale said Mombasa leads among the top ten counties with 58.9 percent, followed by Bomet 51.7 percent and Nyeri in third position with 50.6 percent.
Other counties in the top ten include Elgeyo Marakwet (48.4pc), Kirinyaga (48.2pc), Kisumu (44.8pc), Lamu (44.3pc), Kericho (43.7pc), Embu (43pc) and Tharaka Nithi (42.1pc).
Duale further indicated that a total of 22,327,488 Kenyans have registered on the SHA platform, with 4,868,967 individuals completing means testing to determine their tailored benefit package.
Duale noted that daily registration averages 45,000 to 50,000, with a record 52,893 new registrations and contributions worth Ksh 20.9 million recorded in just 24 hours.
“The overwhelming response to Taifa Care reflects growing public enthusiasm and ownership. Kenyans are not just signing up; they are willingly contributing, underscoring the confidence they place in this reform. we encourage all Kenyans who have not yet registered to do so immediately,” the CS said.
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