Health Agenda on course, Ministry of health

Health principal Secretary Susan Mochache remains confident that the government’s health agenda of providing equitable and affordable healthcare for all Kenyans is on course. Speaking in Kisii County on Tuesday during the launch of health projects, the principal Secretary said the government has made a commitment to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage including the scaling up of health insurance coverage for the most vulnerable across the country.

“President Kenyatta’s vision is that all vulnerable Kenyans are able to access quality healthcare at no cost. His agenda is to reduce the out of pocket expenditure and ensure that the people do not become poorer because of their health” said the PS.

She said the ongoing digitization at the NHIF is meant to ensure seamless service provision as well as eliminate possible fraud. This even as she challenged county assemblies to enact legislations discouraging diversion of NHIF funds as well as monies generated by health facilities for other uses but are instead channeled back to respective facilities to ensure that their operations are not compromised.

Speaking at the same event, Kisii Governor James Ongwae lauded the national government for its efforts in ensuring that the 5.1 indigent households in the country identified by the Kenya Bureau of Statistics access quality Medicare. Ongwae said 63,528 indigents are set to benefit from UHC in Kisii County in a programme that will be rolled out in two phases with the first 31,764 households already covered in the first phase which was launched on Tuesday. The plan will see the national government contribute 190 million shillings with the county administration contributing a similar amount in line with a memorandum of understanding earlier signed between the national government and the devolved units.

NHIF CEO Dr. peter Kamunyo said the fund remains committed to delivering on its mandate of providing accessible, affordable, sustainable and quality health insurance for all Kenyan citizens. PS Mochache also reiterated the government’s commitment towards zero preventable maternal, neonatal and child deaths.

“The Government’s aspiration is that every child born in Kenya should grow to realize their full potential.” She observed. The government is currently implementing an initiative that will see 20 Maternal and Newborn Care Units across the country upgraded in a programme implemented with the support of the Government of Finland.

CC Ministry of health