Health CS with Muranga Governor Mwangi Wa Iria
Health CS Sicily Kariuki and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe during a consultative meeting,
Health CS with Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu
Health PS Peter Tum and Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia
CS Health constitutes an Advisory committee for Universal Essential Benefit Package
Nairobi, KENYA June 21, 2018 – The Government has set up and gazetted an Advisory Panel for the Design and Assessment of the Kenya Universal Essential Benefit Package Health.
The Advisory panel has representation from the county governments and the Council of Governors, the Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki said on Wednesday. during a consultative meeting between the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors at the Windsor Hotel.
The CS said the attainment of UHC is a noble and essential mission that will underpin the achievement of the core principle of the Vision 2030 Agenda, which is the realization of a Kenya where ‘’no one is left behind.’’
She pointed out that the removal of health insurance subsidies has resulted in increased access to quality healthcare by the poor and vulnerable population. “The complement of human resources for health and health specialists from Cuba will further strengthen the health system by bridging capacity gaps and facilitating knowledge and skills transfer,” she argued.
The CS commended the county governments for increasing their share of budget allocation that goes to health from 13 per cent in 2013/14 of the total county budget to over 25 per cent currently, noting that this has enabled most county governments to improve on their health infrastructure, increase the number of health workers, including specialists and ensured a regular supply of health commodities and technologies.
‘’It is out of combination of these efforts and those supported through the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders that the health sector has in the recent years witnessed significant progress in a number of health indicators,’’ she observed.
She pointed out significant progress which has led to reductions in child and maternal mortality and HIV/Aids-related morbidity, and noted that the national government, through the Ministry of Health has been supporting the county governments to implement priority programmes that will contribute towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage.
The programmes include the Managed Equipment Services and the Free Maternity Programme, which has led to a doubling of the number of mothers delivering in health facilities.
During the event the Principal Secretary, Eng. Peter Tum applauded the forum arguing it was the first meeting of its kind between the Governors and the Ministry of Health since the advent of devolved system of governance in 2013.
He said “the meeting is an important event for the two levels of governments as it provides an opportunity to dialogue, to exchange ideas and to share the success the health sector has made over the years and also offer a platform to share challenges facing the sector and how to jointly address them through cooperation and continued collaboration.”
Eng. Tum appreciated continuous consultative engagements which have exemplified in the recent signing of the MOU between the Ministry of Health and the County Government on the 100 Cuban specialist doctors.
He also assured the Governors of the Ministry of Health commitment to continue the partnership to deliver the best quality of health care to the Kenyan people, served at the two levels of government.