# FAQs for executives URL: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/for/executives > 56 questions from executives, each with a short answer and a full answer page. ### [Can Tymira360 support clinics in Kenya and across Africa?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-tymira-health-support-clinics-in-kenya-and-across-africa) Yes. Tymira Health is based in Nairobi and designs Tymira360 around how clinics in Kenya and across Africa actually work: busy front desks, mobile phones and mixed care teams. ### [Can clinics in Kenya store patient data on cloud servers outside Kenya?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-clinics-store-patient-data-outside-kenya) Only under strict conditions. Kenya's Data Protection Act 2019 treats health data as sensitive personal data, and section 49 allows it to be transferred outside Kenya only with the patient's consent... ### [Can employers screen staff for mental health conditions?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-employers-screen-staff-for-mental-health-conditions) Be cautious. WHO's 2022 guidelines give only a conditional recommendation, based on low-certainty evidence, on screening programmes at work, and stress that screening is only useful if it links to... ### [Do we have to use certified software under Kenya's Digital Health Act?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/do-we-have-to-use-certified-software-under-kenya-s-digital-health-act) Yes. The Digital Health (Health Information Management Procedures) Regulations 2025 say a healthcare provider or health facility must not use a digital health solution to provide care unless the... ### [Does a clinic need to register with the ODPC?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/does-a-clinic-need-to-register-with-the-odpc) Yes. Under Kenya's Data Protection Act 2019 and the 2021 registration regulations, health administration and patient care are purposes that require registration with the Office of the Data... ### [Does a mental health organisation need a Data Protection Officer?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/does-a-mental-health-organisation-need-a-data-protection-officer) The ODPC's 2026 guidance for Data Protection Officers explains when one should be designated. ### [How can NGOs manage rehabilitation programmes across multiple sites?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-can-ngos-manage-rehabilitation-across-multiple-sites) NGOs running rehabilitation across several sites need one shared workflow for beneficiary registration, consent, referrals, assessments, care plans, appointments, field follow-up, outcomes and... ### [How can a mental health organisation recruit and keep qualified clinicians?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-can-a-mental-health-organisation-recruit-and-keep-qualified-clinicians) Few Kenyan sources set out retention strategies for mental health staff. ### [How can a mental health practice in Africa scale to multiple locations?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-can-a-mental-health-practice-in-africa-scale-to-multiple-locations) A mental health practice in Africa scales best by standardising intake, consent, notes and pricing first, then using one shared system for scheduling, records and billing across sites, adding... ### [How can a mental health programme scale across sites or counties?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-can-a-mental-health-programme-scale-across-sites-or-counties) Start with a situation analysis in each new area, as WHO's mhGAP operations manual recommends, covering need, workforce, medicines, referral routes and county priorities. ### [How can a therapy practice reach people who hesitate to seek help?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-can-a-therapy-practice-reach-hesitant-clients) Lead with useful, plain-language information rather than promotion. ### [How can a therapy practice stay affordable and sustainable?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-can-a-therapy-practice-stay-affordable-and-sustainable) Start by cutting avoidable costs, especially admin time, missed sessions and duplicated record-keeping, before cutting the time you give clients. ### [How can county health departments plan and budget for mental health?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-can-county-health-departments-plan-and-budget-for-mental-health) The Kenya Mental Health Investment Case recommends that counties allocate dedicated mental health budgets and develop costed work plans. ### [How can leaders reduce burnout among mental health staff?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-can-leaders-reduce-burnout-among-mental-health-staff) Treat burnout as a workplace safety issue, not only an individual problem. ### [How can mental health care be integrated into primary health care?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-can-mental-health-care-be-integrated-into-primary-health-care) WHO recommends providing most mental health care through primary care, with trained non-specialist staff supported by specialists who take referrals and send patients back. ### [How can mental health providers partner with schools and universities?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-can-mental-health-providers-partner-with-schools-and-universities) Kenya's Mental Health Action Plan calls for counselling services and mental health literacy in schools and colleges, and the amended Mental Health Act requires the national government to ensure... ### [How can mental health services work with faith groups and community leaders?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-can-mental-health-services-work-with-faith-groups-and-community-leaders) Kenya's Taskforce on Mental Health and the World Bank's 2025 financing study both recognise that many people first seek help from faith, traditional and community sources. ### [How can therapists report to employers on EAP work without breaking confidentiality?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-can-therapists-report-to-employers-without-breaking-confidentiality) Share only aggregated, de-identified trends, such as the number of sessions, broad reasons for contact and average outcome changes, never names or session content. ### [How do we set up a mental health unit inside a general hospital?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-do-we-set-up-a-mental-health-unit-inside-a-general-hospital) The amended Mental Health Act defines a mental health unit as a designated section within a health facility. ### [How do you start a mental health clinic in Kenya?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-do-you-start-a-mental-health-clinic-in-kenya) To start a mental health clinic in Kenya you need registered professionals, a facility licence from the relevant regulator, ODPC data protection registration and certification, a clear service... ### [How does a mental health facility get empanelled and contracted by SHA?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-does-a-mental-health-facility-get-empanelled-and-contracted-by-sha) Under the Social Health Insurance Act, SHA empanels licensed and certified facilities on lists submitted by the accreditation body (for private facilities, KMPDC), then signs a separate contract... ### [How is public mental health care financed in Kenya, and where are the gaps?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-is-public-mental-health-care-financed-in-kenya-and-where-are-the-gaps) 01% of the national health budget went to mental health, leaving many families paying out of pocket. ### [How should NGO programme leads report mental health results to donors?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-should-ngo-programme-leads-report-mental-health-results-to-donors) Agree indicators with the donor at the design stage and, where possible, align them with national mental health indicators reported through the Kenya Health Information System, so data also serves... ### [How should a clinic evaluate whether Tymira360 is a good fit?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-should-a-clinic-evaluate-whether-tymira-health-is-a-good-fit) Evaluate Tymira360 against your clinic's highest-friction workflows rather than a feature list. ### [How should a mental health service handle incident reporting and adverse events?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-should-a-mental-health-service-handle-incident-reporting-and-adverse-events) Set up a simple, blame-free system to report, investigate and learn from incidents such as self-harm on site, medication errors, violence and privacy breaches. ### [How should a mental health service set prices and balance its payer mix?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-should-a-mental-health-service-set-prices-and-balance-its-payer-mix) Most mental health spending in Kenya and the region is paid out of pocket, according to the World Bank's 2025 study of mental health financing in Africa. ### [How should an organisation set up a workplace mental wellness programme in Kenya?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-should-an-organisation-set-up-a-workplace-mental-wellness-programme-in-kenya) The Ministry of Health's National Guidelines on Workplace Mental Wellness (2023) set out the steps. ### [How should leaders measure the outcomes and return on investment of a mental health programme?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-should-leaders-measure-the-outcomes-and-return-on-investment-of-a-mental-health-programme) Agree a small set of indicators before launch. Input indicators are staff trained and services available. ### [How will the Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill affect mental health facilities?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-will-the-quality-healthcare-and-patient-safety-bill-affect-mental-health-facilities) The Bill would create a Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Authority to register, license and accredit health facilities, including accreditation for SHA empanelment. ### [Is Kenya's national mental health strategy still current?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/is-kenya-s-national-mental-health-strategy-still-current) The Kenya Mental Health Policy 2015-2030 remains the main policy framework. ### [Is professional indemnity cover mandatory for a mental health facility in Kenya?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/is-professional-indemnity-cover-mandatory-for-a-mental-health-facility-in-kenya) Yes, for KMPDC-licensed facilities. Section 15A of the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act requires every health institution to insure itself each year against the professional liability of its... ### [Is task-sharing with lay or community health workers safe and effective for mental health care?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/is-task-sharing-with-lay-or-community-health-workers-safe-and-effective-for-mental-health-care) There is good evidence for it when training, supervision and referral routes are in place. ### [Should managers be trained to support staff mental health?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/should-managers-be-trained-to-support-staff-mental-health) Yes. WHO's 2022 guidelines on mental health at work recommend training managers to support their workers' mental health, and make a strong recommendation for managers of health, humanitarian and... ### [What KPIs should mental health clinic leaders track?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-kpis-should-mental-health-clinic-leaders-track) Mental health clinic leaders should track access (wait time to first appointment), utilisation (clinician fill rate), attendance (no-show and late cancellation rates), retention (sessions per client... ### [What community-based mental health models can organisations use?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-community-based-mental-health-models-can-organisations-use) WHO's 2021 guidance on community mental health services describes several models: community mental health centres, outreach teams, crisis services, peer support, supported living and integrated... ### [What compliance evidence should we ask a health software vendor for in Kenya?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-compliance-evidence-should-we-ask-a-health-software-vendor-for-in-kenya) Ask for the vendor's Digital Health Agency certification (or application status), ODPC registration as a data processor, a recent DPIA and security assessment, and its backup and recovery policy. ### [What credential checks should a mental health employer carry out on clinical staff?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-credential-checks-should-a-mental-health-employer-carry-out-on-clinical-staff) Check each clinician's registration and current practising licence with the right regulator: KMPDC for doctors, the Counsellors and Psychologists Board for counsellors and psychologists, and the... ### [What does Kenya's Data Protection Act require of clinics?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-does-kenyas-data-protection-act-require-of-clinics) Kenya's Data Protection Act 2019 treats health data as sensitive personal data. ### [What does Kenyan law expect of employers on employee mental health?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-does-kenyan-law-expect-of-employers-on-employee-mental-health) The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to provide a working environment that is safe and without risks to health, and to keep a written safety and health policy. ### [What does decriminalising attempted suicide mean for our organisation's policies?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-does-decriminalising-attempted-suicide-mean-for-our-organisation-s-policies) According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the High Court has decriminalised attempted suicide. ### [What does good clinical governance look like in a mental health service?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-does-good-clinical-governance-look-like-in-a-mental-health-service) Clinical governance means named accountability for the quality and safety of care. ### [What is the WHO QualityRights toolkit, and should our facility use it?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-is-the-who-qualityrights-toolkit-and-should-our-facility-use-it) The WHO QualityRights toolkit helps assess and improve quality and human rights in inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities, based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with... ### [What is the business case for an employer to invest in workplace mental health?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-is-the-business-case-for-an-employer-to-invest-in-workplace-mental-health) WHO estimates that depression and anxiety cost the global economy about US$1 trillion a year, mainly through lost productivity. ### [What licences does a mental health or addiction rehabilitation facility need in Kenya?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-licences-does-a-mental-health-or-addiction-rehabilitation-facility-need-in-kenya) A mental health or rehabilitation institution must be registered and licensed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) under its 2022 Mental Health Treatment and... ### [What makes Tymira360 different from a generic business tool?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-makes-tymira-health-different-from-a-generic-business-tool) Tymira360 is designed for healthcare, where privacy, clinical documentation, appointment flow, billing, patient communication and operational reporting need to work together. ### [What must a mental health service do after a data breach?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-must-a-mental-health-service-do-after-a-data-breach) Under section 43 of the Data Protection Act, if personal data is accessed by an unauthorised person and there is a real risk of harm, the data controller must notify the Data Commissioner within 72... ### [What must county governments provide for mental health under the amended Act?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-must-county-governments-provide-for-mental-health-under-the-amended-act) The Mental Health (Amendment) Act 2022 requires counties to provide mental health care, treatment and rehabilitation in county facilities, including dedicated mental health services at Level 2-5... ### [What reports must a mental health facility or unit send under the Mental Health Act?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-reports-must-a-mental-health-facility-or-unit-send-under-the-mental-health-act) Section 9D of the amended Mental Health Act requires the person in charge of a mental health facility or unit to submit a monthly report to the Kenya Board of Mental Health and the county executive... ### [What should a return-to-work policy include after mental health-related absence?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-should-a-return-to-work-policy-include-after-mental-health-related-absence) WHO's 2022 guidelines recommend that people returning after mental health-related absence receive evidence-based clinical care, ideally combined with work-directed care such as graded return and... ### [What should an employer look for when buying an employee assistance programme (EAP)?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-should-an-employer-look-for-when-buying-an-employee-assistance-programme-eap) Check that counsellors and psychologists are licensed by the Counsellors and Psychologists Board, and that the provider has clear confidentiality rules, crisis escalation and referral routes, and... ### [What should clinic leaders prepare before implementing new software?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-should-leadership-prepare-before-implementation) Before implementing new software, clinic leaders should agree launch goals and how they will be measured, who needs access and at what level, what data must be cleaned and migrated, consent... ### [What should insurers consider when designing mental health cover in Kenya?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-should-insurers-consider-when-designing-mental-health-cover-in-kenya) Policy is moving towards parity between mental and physical health. ### [What staff must a mental health or rehabilitation facility have to be licensed?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-staff-must-a-mental-health-or-rehabilitation-facility-have-to-be-licensed) KMPDC's 2022 Mental Health Treatment and Rehabilitation Institutions Rules set minimum staffing for each category of facility in a schedule. ### [When does a mental health service need a data protection impact assessment?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/when-does-a-mental-health-service-need-a-data-protection-impact-assessment) Kenya's Data Protection (General) Regulations 2021 require a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) before processing that is likely to pose a high risk, and the ODPC's health data guidance covers... ### [Which SHA funds pay for mental health services at different facility levels?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/which-sha-funds-pay-for-mental-health-services-at-different-facility-levels) SHA operates three funds: the Primary Healthcare Fund (Level 2 and 3 services), the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund, which covers care beyond... ### [Which rules apply to running a tele-mental health service at scale in Kenya?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/which-rules-apply-to-running-a-tele-mental-health-service-at-scale-in-kenya) The Ministry of Health's National Tele-Mental Health Guidelines (2021) cover competence, ethics, consent and the laws that apply. --- **About Tymira Health:** Tymira Health is a healthcare technology company based in Nairobi, Kenya. It builds Tymira360, a practice management and EHR platform for mental health, physiotherapy and dental providers, clinics, hospitals, NGOs and insurers across Africa. - Book a demo: https://tymirahealth.com/demo - Contact: https://tymirahealth.com/contact (info@tymirahealth.com) - All resources: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/all