State Department for Medical Services

16/03/2026

Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga appeared before the Parliamentary Departmental Committee on Health to present and defend the State Department’s 2025/2026 supplementary budget. He emphasized that the allocation is necessary to strengthen healthcare delivery, improve emergency medical services, and accelerate the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Dr. Oluga urged the committee to approve the funds to support completion of stalled health projects, ensure availability of essential medical commodities and technologies, meet staff remuneration, and clear pending bills.

The session was attended by Health Committee Chairperson Dr. James Nyikal, Director-General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, and Acting CEO of JOOTRH Joshua Clinton Ombiri Okise, among other officials.

13/03/2026

Health sector leaders have convened in Nairobi for a two-day Taifa Care Adaptive Leadership Training organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National Treasury and the Global Fund to strengthen leadership capacity for the implementation of Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage reforms.

The training, facilitated by Professor Farayi Chipungu of the Kennedy School of Business, Harvard University, is equipping health leaders with adaptive leadership skills needed to navigate complex health system reforms and support the nationwide rollout of Taifa Care.

Opening the forum, Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga urged participants to focus on practical solutions that translate health reforms into real improvements in healthcare services. The training has brought together national and county officials, development partners and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage.

The meeting brought together representatives from the Council of Governors (CoG), represented by Dr. Gregory Ganda, Chair of the CEC Health Caucus, the Global Fund team led by Senior Portfolio Manager Paul McCarrick, and National Treasury officials led by Faisal Mohammed.

11/03/2026

Welcome to the Health Integration Summit 2026 as we shape the future of integrated health systems.
— Dr Ouma Oluga, PS Medical Services

10/03/2026

Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga today joined Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale in a consultative meeting with the leadership of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) to discuss the implementation of the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF) and review the status of the Mwalimu Medical Cover.

The meeting, held at Afya House, brought together officials from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Digital Health Agency (DHA) alongside union leaders to address operational issues affecting teachers and their dependents, while exploring ways to improve access to services, clarify benefits, and strengthen accountability within the scheme.

08/03/2026

A thanksgiving ceremony in honour of Dr Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Medical Services, is currently underway at Okela Primary School in Uyoma, Rarieda Constituency.

The event is being graced by the President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Dr William Ruto, as the Chief Guest. It has drawn a large gathering of community members, religious leaders, political leaders and stakeholders from across the country who have come to celebrate Dr Oluga’s distinguished public service and leadership at the national level.

The ceremony reflects the strong link between national leadership and grassroots communities, while providing a moment for reflection, unity and renewed commitment to national development.

08/03/2026

04/03/2026

Sustained investment in health systems is essential for improving population wellbeing and driving national development, Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga said while speaking at Africa Press Day 2026 held today in Nairobi under the theme “Health: What Is It Worth?”

The forum brought together policymakers, health experts and partners from across Africa to discuss strengthening health systems, expanding access to quality care and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes. Dr Oluga reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to advancing specialised medical services and accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage.

03/03/2026

Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, today took part in a high-level consultative session chaired by the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, bringing together leadership from key national research bodies.

The discussions centred on unlocking innovation, strengthening scientific leadership, and translating research findings into practical improvements in specialised and referral healthcare. Dr Oluga emphasised the importance of aligning medical research with service delivery priorities to enhance quality, efficiency, and patient outcomes across the health system.

Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, among other principal secretaries also attended the meeting.

02/03/2026

Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, joined Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale in welcoming Ghana’s Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, during a high-level bilateral meeting focused on advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through digital health transformation, strengthened community-based care, and sustainable health financing aligned to the Government’s BETA agenda.

The discussions highlighted progress in deploying Community Health Promoters supported by digital systems, improving availability of essential commodities through KEMSA reforms, expanding financial protection under the Social Health Authority, and decentralising specialised services through the National Equipment Services Programme, while setting the stage for long-term Kenya–Ghana collaboration in telemedicine, research, workforce exchange, pharmaceutical manufacturing, digital innovation, and emergency preparedness.

02/03/2026

Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, joined Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale during the signing of Performance Contracts for Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) for the Financial Year 2025/2026 at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) headquarters in Nairobi.

The signing reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to strengthened governance, accountability, and results-based management across its agencies, with a focus on aligning institutional mandates to national health priorities and ongoing sector reforms.

02/03/2026

Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, signed the State Department for Medical Services Performance Contract for FY 2025/2026 with Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale.

The new performance cycle strengthens accountability, sharpens results-driven implementation, and prioritises specialised and referral healthcare services. Key areas of focus include advancing health financing reforms, reinforcing emergency and critical care capacity, and expanding access to specialised services to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage.

The ceremony was witnessed by Principal Secretaries Hon. Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim and Ms Mary Muthoni, Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, and Ministry Directors and Technical Heads.

26/02/2026

The launch of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable for HIV prevention, marks a major milestone in Kenya’s efforts to curb new infections. Administered only twice a year, the medicine provides a highly effective and convenient prevention option, particularly for individuals at substantial risk of HIV acquisition. Its introduction is expected to improve adherence, reduce new infections, and accelerate progress towards ending HIV as a public health threat.

Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, today joined Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale at the official launch, reaffirming the Ministry of Health’s commitment to expanding access to innovative HIV prevention tools and strengthening the national HIV response.