KISUMU, Kenya July 17 –The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has thrown its weight behind the ongoing government crackdown on illegal health facilities offering substandard care, a move spearheaded by Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale.
KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako hailed the operation, which has already shut down over 1,000 fraudulent facilities, as a critical step in safeguarding public health.
“As healthcare providers, we fully support this crackdown on rogue hospitals and pharmacies. These facilities not only endanger lives but also exploit the system through fictitious NHIF/SHA claims,” Panyako stated.
He commended CS Duale for restructuring the Social Health Authority (SHA) to ensure that only compliant facilities receive reimbursements for healthcare services provided.
“The days of fraudsters milking the system are over. We applaud the CS for streamlining SHA to uphold accountability,” he added.
In a stern warning on Wednesday, CS Duale vowed to continue the purge until all health facilities meet operational standards.
The crackdown targets unlicensed clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals accused of malpractice and endangering patients.
Speaking in Kisumu today during a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) training for union leaders, Panyako also praised KNUN’s leadership for maintaining integrity in service.
The Nurses Union National Chairman, Joseph Kwasi, emphasised the training’s importance in equipping officials with negotiation skills to secure better terms for nurses.
“This workshop ensures our CBA talks prioritise our members’ welfare, including resolving the long-standing 2017 CBA disputes,” Kwasi said.
The union’s strong backing of the crackdown signals a united front in fighting quackery and improving healthcare standards, a win for both medical professionals and Kenyan patients.
