Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has clarified that the government has not shut down the Afya.ke digital health platform, dismissing claims that the system has been discontinued. Duale explained that the platform has not yet been submitted for certification, indicating that the process required for its formal approval remains pending. The clarification comes amid public interest in the status of Kenya’s digital health systems, which are intended to support the delivery of healthcare services and improve the management of health information across the country.
Afya.ke Certification Process Yet to Be Completed
According to Duale, the government has not taken steps to shut down Afya.ke. Instead, the outstanding issue concerns the platform’s certification status. Certification is an important process for digital systems, particularly those handling sensitive health information. It helps establish whether a system meets the relevant technical, security and operational requirements before receiving formal approval. However, the CS did not provide further details on when Afya.ke would be submitted for certification or the timeline for completing the process.
Government’s Digital Health Agenda
Kenya has been advancing the use of digital technology in healthcare as part of efforts to improve service delivery, strengthen health data management and support access to medical services. Digital health platforms can help streamline the handling of patient information and improve coordination between healthcare providers and institutions. The certification of such systems is therefore an important consideration in ensuring that they meet the applicable standards and requirements.
Uncertainty Over Next Steps
Although Duale has clarified that Afya.ke has not been shut down, questions remain about when the platform will be submitted for certification and what steps will follow. The clarification distinguishes between shutting down a digital platform and a system that has yet to complete the certification process.
Further details on the certification timeline and the platform’s next steps are expected to provide greater clarity on its status and future use. For now, the Health CS maintains that the government has not shut down Afya.ke, noting that the system is yet to be submitted for certification.
