Primary Health Care (PHC) is one of the most essential pillars of Kenya’s healthcare system; it serves as the foundation for building strong, resilient, and sustainable healthcare infrastructures. PHC ensures that every individual has access to affordable, equitable, and quality health services, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
In this context, the Health NGOs Network (HENNET) convened the second Civil Society Organisations meeting on Primary Health Care in Nairobi this week to explore ways to strengthen PHC in Kenya.
The stakeholders attending the meeting agreed that for PHC to be effective, Kenya must show unwavering commitment to prioritizing Primary Health Care in its national health agenda and shift its focus from curative to preventive and promotive healthcare.
Dr Joseph Lenai, Director of Primary Health Care/Preventive and Promotive Health at the Ministry of Health, emphasized that the Kenya Kwanza Government has been intentional in prioritizing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), recognizing the vital role that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) play in advocacy, implementation, and accountability in strengthening PHC.
PHC advocates for bold policies, strategic investments, and strong political commitment, Dr Lenai said and noted that if Kenya is to genuinely achieve Universal Health Coverage, Primary Health Care must be central to healthcare reforms.
‘Kenya is boldly shifting its focus toward preventive and promotive health care, ensuring that communities are empowered to prevent diseases before they occur’, Dr.Lenai stated
He also called for the scaling up ofPrimary Care Networks (PCNs) to ensure that all Kenyans have access to comprehensive, continuous, and coordinated care at both community and facility levels.
“There is a need to strengthen referral pathways by establishing seamless linkages from households to community units, health centres, and referral hospitals,” he added.
Dr Mureithi wa Wanjiku, PHC Coordinator of Laikipia County, urged CSOs to advocate for an integrated health system to improve health outcomes. He further called for the actualization of budget allocations for health, particularly at the county level, to implement established health strategies and ultimately enhance the efficiency of the health system.
Community Health Promoters (CHPs) play a crucial role in PHC and should be equipped with the necessary skills, resources, and tools to deliver efficient, people-centred care. Dr Lenai advocated for the utilization of the Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) to facilitate real-time health data collection and decision-making.
Dr Lenai noted that recent executive orders from the US Government and USAID’s shifting priorities present new challenges to healthcare financing in Kenya, highlighting an urgent need to mobilize domestic resources to fill the gaps.
“With cuts in funding for global health programmes, including PHC, there is an immediate need for local and alternative investments to sustain and expand PHC services,” he said
He urged stakeholders to collaborate, leverage private sector partnerships, and ensure that CSOs and other development partners work together to bridge financing gaps. He called on partners to adopt innovative financing models and strengthen local capacity to sustain PHC service delivery.
