Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has issued a firm directive aimed at ending bed sharing in public hospitals.
In a statement on July 8, Duale described the practice as a violation of patient dignity and a misuse of public resources.
“Bed sharing will now be treated as insurance fraud, and institutions involved will be held accountable,” he said.
This directive comes as part of broader reforms under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda aimed at improving standards of care, enforcing accountability, and ensuring patients are treated with dignity.
Duale Orders End to Bed Sharing in Public Hospitals
Speaking in Mombasa during a session with the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Health, the CS warned health facilities against over-admitting patients beyond their official capacity.
“You can’t have three or four people sharing one bed and then charge SHA for four beds,” Duale added.
Additionally, Duale directed the Social Health Authority (SHA) to vet hospital claims based strictly on licensed bed capacity, noting that claims for patients sharing beds will be treated as fraudulent.
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Duale also admitted that even some national referral hospitals under his ministry are guilty of the same but vowed to address the issue.
In his submission, the Health CS stressed that hospitals must expand their infrastructure to accommodate additional patients, rather than allowing bed sharing.
“Your licence permits 1,800 beds. You will only admit 1,800 patients. If you want to admit more, purchase additional beds and create more space. There’s no way Kenyans will sleep on the floor while others share beds. These patients do not know each other, they do not have the same illness, yet we talk about dignity?” he warned.
The CS stated that such practices would not be allowed under his watch as Health Cabinet Secretary and urged the committee to support his efforts.
Also Read: Duale Says Ruto Signed Law Allowing SHIF Deductions in December 2024
Public Hospitals to be Paid Directly
The announcement comes in the wake of health reforms spearheaded by Duale since his reassignment to the Ministry.
On April 22, 2025, CS Duale announced that public hospitals will now be paid directly by the Social Health Authority (SHA), ending delays caused by routing funds through county treasuries under the NHIF system.
Duale stated that the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) will receive payments for drugs directly from the SHA to clear the backlog of funds owed to national and county-run facilities, which has affected service delivery.
“I am one month old in this docket, but I promise Kenyans that I will ensure that citizens get quality medical care by having Taifa care working to serve all Kenyans who are in need,” said Duale.
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