CS Health inaugurates the nursing and nutrition boards
Nairobi, KENYA Thursday, July 18, 2019 – A multiagency Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) team, which was constituted by the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Health Sicily Kariuki to assess and establish the level of quality of healthcare provided in all health facilities has so far inspected 1741 health facilities and closed down 255.
Speaking today during the inauguration of the Boards of Management for the Nursing Council of Kenya and the Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute the CS disclosed that 28 persons have been arrested and 42 health workers are facing disciplinary action from their respective regulatory bodies as she awaits a full report by August 6, 2019
The CS acknowledged that the roll out of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) has exposed weak links in the continuum of care especially the medical malpractice and professional misconduct within the health sector, which informed the assessment exercise.
She also cited the report on misuse of Sodium metabisulphite on non-specified food categories as a call for the Public Health Officers Council and the Nutrition and Dietetics Institute to be ever vigilant of any contravention of health laws that safeguard food safety.
She noted that after the red alert report all County Public Health Officials were directed to undertake surveillance in all supermarkets, butcheries, meat processors and other food business operators to ascertain any presence additives not permitted use in meat and meat products. “All offenders will face closure of facilities and prosecution,” the CS said.
She told the councils to work in synergy with other Councils in the Ministry to ensure compliance to the required norms and standards, and provision of quality of care in all health facilities for realization of Universal Health Coverage by ensuring that Human Resource for Health assessment is done in health facilities in line with the Ministry of Health Standards and norms to ascertain that staffing ratios are adhered to.
“Your core business must incorporate UHC agenda both at pre-service quality compliance and at in-service deliverables within the health systems,’ she argued.
Kenya has a total of 60,579 registered Nurses and Midwives. Despite the sub-optimal nurse to patient ration of 15 nurses per 100 000 people, 80 percent of care in rural facilities is conducted by nurses and midwives.
She lauded the improvement in Health indicators that has increased the Antenatal care coverage from 48 to 51 percent between February and May this year; immunization coverage from 63 to 78 percent, rate of HIV pregnant mothers on ARVs from 83 to 95 percent and TB cases from 46,723 to 80, 531.
She advised the councils to adhere to Mwongozo code of Governance, to exercise the highest degree of care, skill and diligence in discharging duties, upholding confidential, transparency and accountability and act in the best interest of the organization.
Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki with the Chairperson Kenya and Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute Dr.Everline Nkririgacha [ right] and Chairperson of the Nursing Council of Kenya Dr.Eunice Ndirangu [left ] during the Inauguration of the Boards of Management for the two institution at Afya House
Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki speaking during the Inauguration of the Board of Management for the Nursing Council of Kenya and Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute at Afya House