CS Duale outlines key investments toward universal health coverage in 2026 budget policy statement

Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale has presented the 2026 Budget Policy Statement for the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards to the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health, outlining priority investments to accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage.

Addressing the committee at Bunge Towers, Nairobi, the CS underscored the department’s central role in delivering a resilient and people-centred health system, structured around four strategic pillars: preventive and promotive health services, human resource development and innovation, health policy and standards, and strengthened regulatory systems.

According to Duale, the 2026 BPS, anchored on the theme ‘Accelerating Gains Under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth’, reflects the government’s broader commitment to expanding equitable access to quality healthcare across the country.

The CS emphasised that preventive and promotive health interventions remain the most cost-effective pathway to reducing disease burden and healthcare costs.

He further highlighted priority programmes requiring enhanced financing, including the expansion of community health systems and the operationalisation of Primary Care Networks to strengthen frontline service delivery and early disease detection.

Guided by constitutional principles of transparency, accountability, and prudent use of public resources, the CS reaffirmed the Ministry’s resolve to align budgeting with measurable health outcomes and system-wide reforms.

“Sustained and predictable funding is critical to safeguarding public health gains, strengthening regulatory oversight, and supporting workforce development and innovation,” he noted.

Duale appealed to the committee to review and enhance budget allocations for key preventive health programmes and health system strengthening initiatives, noting that increased investment in public health will reduce long-term treatment costs and improve national productivity.

The session was preside over by James Nyikal, Member of Parliament for Seme and Chair of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health. Also in attendance were Public Health PS Mary Muthoni, Director General for Health Patrick Amoth, as well as Ministry of Health executive officers and technical heads.