The Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Health, Sicily Kariuki has unveiled a panel of experts to develop an action plan to transform and reposition the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), as a strategic purchaser for attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2022.
The panel which was was constituted following President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive during the launch of the UHC pilot to reform NHIF and the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) as key players in the country’s journey towards UHC will be chaired by James Wambugu and is expected to submit their recommendations within a period of 90 days.
“The identification and inauguration of an independent expert panel is a key intervention and step towards the transformation of NHIF to a more efficient, socially accountable and transparent body,” the CS said.
The Taskforce will work on reforms in strengthening the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Mechanisms, enhancing efficiency in utilization of resources in the Health Sector, strengthening pharmaceutical practices and regulatory systems and improvement of National and County Health Financing System and Governance Mechanisms.
It will also develop a clear action plan for implementation of the reforms in the short, medium and long-term focusing primarily on Legal and Regulatory Reforms, organisational and Business process Re-engineering reforms, Fiscal and Social Accountability and Financial Sustainability.
“As a Ministry we are commitment in providing strategic stewardship in the reform journey,” she noted.
The panel consists of experts drawn from key Health Sector Stakeholders with National and International experience in institutional transformation and Health Financing Reforms. Among them is the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Jackson Kioko
NHIF acting Chief Executive Officer, Nicodemus Odongo, Gilda Odera
Jane Chuma, Joyce Wanderi, Edward Barasa, Daniel Kibuga and CoG CEO Jacqueline Mogeni among others.
“We shall endeavour to engage with all the stakeholders so as to ensure that the reform process attains the highest possible level of public participation to the reforms and ensure that we attain the Government’s agenda on Universal Health coverage,” she said.