Kisumu: The national government has stepped up efforts to improve the standard of care in public health facilities with the launch of the Kenya Quality Model for Health Plus (KQMH+) programme, a new framework aimed at embedding safety, dignity, and consistency in primary health care services across the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary (PS) Mary Muthoni announced that the initiative signals a shift from merely expanding access to ensuring that the care patients receive is reliable and effective. Speaking during the launch of the programme at Angola Health Centre in Kisumu County, the PS stated that KQMH+ unites the national and county governments, development partners, and frontline health workers to bolster services at the primary care level, where most Kenyans initially seek treatment.
PS Muthoni emphasized that Universal Health Coverage (UHC) involves more than just proximity to facilities or health insurance registration. It concerns the quality of care provided, such as when a mother arrives in labor at night, when a child with pneumonia requires oxygen, or when an accident victim needs urgent care. She asserted that access without quality only generates uncertainty for patients and families.
The programme is anchored on recent health sector reforms, including the Primary Health Care Act, the Digital Health Act, the Facility Improvement Financing Act, and the Social Health Insurance Act, all enacted in 2023. These laws have established a legal and financial framework to secure resources for health and enhance service delivery at the grassroots level.
Furthermore, the PS connected the rollout to the proposed Quality of Health Care and Patient Safety Bill, 2025, currently before Parliament. This bill aims to establish clear standards for patient safety and create formal channels for patients to lodge complaints and receive redress with dignity.
Muthoni elaborated that KQMH+ will initially be implemented in over 3,000 primary healthcare facilities in selected counties, with multidisciplinary teams supporting health workers to enhance infection prevention, maternal and child health services, data use, and referral systems. Digital tools will aid self-assessment and continuous quality improvement.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili, stated that the county has already laid the groundwork for quality improvement through investments in infrastructure, staffing, and digital systems. Upgrades at facilities like Muhoroni County Hospital and Lumumba County Hospital, along with enhancements at Katito Sub-County Hospital, highlight these efforts.
The governor also mentioned the strengthening of maternity and emergency services, expanded specialist outreach, and the linkage of digital maternal health tools to the county's Emergency Operations Centre and a 24-hour ambulance system.
PharmAccess, a key partner in the programme, reported encouraging early results from quality improvement efforts in Kisumu. Global Director for Quality Aafke de Graaff noted a rise in compliance with infection prevention and control standards in supported facilities, from 60% to 92%. She highlighted that stronger infection control practices, such as hand hygiene and improved ventilation, were directly linked to better patient outcomes and a reduced risk of severe infections.
De Graaff added that PharmAccess supports health workers with practical tools through the SafeCare approach, promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Digital technologies are increasingly enabling remote guidance, data-driven decision-making, and stronger accountability across health systems.
Source: Kenya News Agency