Nairobi (KENYA) September 5, 2019 – The Government has set up 10 cancer centres across the country to manage the cancer burden.
Four of these are already operational to supplement the existing ones at Kenyatta national and Moi referral hospitals, President Uhuru Kenyatta said today in a speech read by the Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki during the opening of the 8th East Africa Healthcare Federation Conference in Nairobi.
The Head of State noted that Kenya has realigned its healthcare system focus towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by the year 2022, one of the government’s Big Four priority agenda for development that is aimed at ensuring that no Kenyan undergoes financial hardship while seeking health care.
The Government has also invested in development of the East African Kidney Institute which is under development in Nairobi to improve health outcomes.
This is an EAC investment which is in tandem with ongoing capacity building expected to improve access to quality health care services for renal patients from countries in the region.
At the same time, the Managed Equipments Service project initiated by the Government has enhanced diagnostic and specialised treatment capacity across the 47 counties, the President said.
“It is now possible to get kidney dialysis and mammography services at the County health facilities,” he said. So far II ICU centres have been distributed in the regions.
The President also acknowledged the role of the Public Private Partnerships in complementing government initiatives in health service delivery especially in the case of UHC and cost of healthcare.
Kenya he added has registered commendable decrease in Maternal mortality rates down to 362/100,000 population thereby averting 2000 maternal deaths per year.
Under-five mortality has reduced by over 50 per cent, HIV prevalence has reduced from 6 percent to 4.9 percent, TB treatment has increased from 80 to 90 percent and malaria prevalence for under-fives has reduced to 8 percent from the previous high of 13 percent.
At the same time, Free Maternity Programme has also led to an additional 600,000 deliveries under skilled care every year since inception in 2013.
The 8th East Africa Healthcare Federation Conference provides a platform for sharing experiences and lessons, developing partnerships and contributing to the betterment of health and the realization of UHC in the East African Community.