Kenya Strengthens Primary Health Care for Universal Health Coverage

𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢, 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 - March 3, 2024 - Kenya is making a significant shift toward preventive and promotive healthcare, reinforcing Primary Health Care (PHC) as the foundation for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). 

Speaking at a Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) meeting on PHC, Dr. Joseph Lenai, Ag. Director of Primary Health Care at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the critical role of PHC in ensuring accessible, people-centered health services at the community level.  To institutionalize this shift, the government enacted four key health laws in 2023. 

The Primary Health Care Act established Primary Care Networks to enhance service delivery at all levels. The Digital Health Act introduced data-driven decision-making and interoperability of health records. The Facility Improvement Financing Act empowered public health facilities to retain revenue for reinvestment, while the Social Health Insurance Act expanded healthcare access through the Social Health Authority. 

 Dr. Lenai stressed the need for sustainable financing, calling for domestic resource mobilization, private sector partnerships, and innovative funding models, especially in light of shifting USAID and USG funding priorities. 

He urged greater investment in disease prevention, strengthening Primary Care Networks, equipping Community Health Promoters, leveraging digital health solutions, and ensuring full implementation of the Social Health Authority. 

 The meeting, convened by the Health NGOs Network (HENNET), provided a platform to assess progress on previous work plans, explore sustainable PHC financing, and align priorities with Kenya’s broader health policy framework. 

Dr. Lenai reaffirmed the importance of collaboration among government agencies, CSOs, and development partners in driving healthcare transformation and ensuring PHC remains central to Kenya’s health agenda.