Mosiria calls for ban on healthcare workers using personal phones while on duty
By Ascah Mwango, July 23, 2026Nairobi County Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service Geoffrey Mosiria has called for a nationwide ban on the use of personal mobile phones by healthcare workers while they are on duty, arguing that the habit is affecting the quality of patient care in both public and private health facilities.
In a statement shared on his Instagram page on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Mosiria said medical professionals who interact directly with patients should give them their full attention instead of being distracted by personal devices.
“All healthcare workers, both in government and private facilities, especially those who deal directly with patients, should be prohibited from using their personal phones while on duty. If they need to conduct online research, they should use the available computers instead,” Mosiria stated.
Mosiria noted that while technology has become an important part of modern healthcare, personal phones have increasingly become a source of distraction in hospitals and clinics. He said patients often visit health facilities expecting prompt attention, only to find some healthcare workers focused on their phones instead of those seeking treatment.
According to him, even a brief moment of divided attention can have serious consequences, particularly in emergencies where every second matters. He maintained that healthcare professionals have a duty to remain fully present while attending to patients.
“The use of personal phones has compromised their ability to serve patients by diverting their attention away from patient care. This can lead to compromised healthcare services, delayed treatment, and even incorrect diagnoses.”
Mosiria said the issue should not be left to individual hospitals to manage through internal policies alone. Instead, he wants Parliament to step in and introduce legislation that clearly regulates the use of personal phones during working hours for healthcare workers.
He argued that a legal framework would strengthen accountability, reduce negligence, and reassure patients that their safety comes before anything else. While hospitals already have professional codes of conduct, he believes stronger laws would make enforcement more effective.
“I also call upon Parliament to enact laws that protect patients from negligence by establishing clear standards on the use of personal phones during working hours, strengthening accountability, and ensuring that patient safety always comes first,” he stated.
The county official added that patients place enormous trust in doctors, nurses, clinical officers and other medical staff whenever they seek treatment. That trust, he said, should be matched by complete professionalism and undivided attention throughout the patient’s care.
“Every patient has the right to receive safe, attentive, and quality healthcare,” Mosiria stated.