The Director General of Health Dr Patrick Amoth has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the full operationalisation of the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), describing it as the best strategy for coordination of essential public health functions such as surveillance, partnership building and emergency preparedness and response.
Speaking in Mombasa during a workshop to sensitize County Directors of Health on KNPHI’s mandate, Amoth said the institute’s effectiveness will ensure Kenya’s compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005), strengthen the overall health system through data-driven decision-making, and support the WHO´s long-term vision of health security.
‘The entire Ministry leadership supports the operationalization and wellbeing of KNPHI in its critical role of spearheading Kenya’s public health agenda. With emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases,there’s need for structures in place to protect public health security.Its existence is fundamental in achieving the goal of public health, which is to improve, promote, protect, and restore the health of the population through collective action.Due to intergovernmental relations, NPHI will coordinate various actors including counties who are very crucial in taming outbreaks and emergencies which start with the communities at the grassroots levels” he said
Before 2022, the country had strategies and mechanisms in place to prevent and manage public health events.
However, many public health functions, including surveillance and emergency response, were fragmented across various vertical programs and management structures.
This fragmentation led to weak coordination and accountability, hindering the timely detection of and response to public health threats leading to establishment of KNPHI courtesy of Presidential directive under the state corporation ACT CAP 466 through a gazette notice.
KNPHI Acting Director General Dr Kamene Kimenye lauded the government for leading from the front in strengthening the science-based institution to promote country’s health by coordinating public health functions and programs to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats.
She said both the Ministry of Health being an umbrella body overseeing activities of KNPHI and the office of Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei have been resourcesful in shaping its structure towards transformation into a fully autonomous Semi-Autonomous Government Agency (SAGA).
“Contrary to the perception outside there,the support from the Government in our pursuit for stability thus provide our role effectively has been very adequate and we are grateful. The transition process is currently underway until 24th of this month and so far so good. National public health systems are essential components of resilient health systems and the first line of defense against the threat of pandemic disease. Robust public health capabilities and infrastructure at a national level are the foundation of a global health risk framework. This remains our mantra, ” affirmed Dr Kamene.
Already 456 staff, who served in the 13 divisions under the Ministry of Health have been vested to KNPHI by the Cabinet Secretary for Health Dr Deborah Baraza.
They received appointment letters on March 10 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) and were given 14 days to accept or decline the offer.
The divisions transitioning to KNPHI include Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases, Zoonotic Diseases, National Public Health Laboratories, Quality Improvement, Infection Prevention and Control, Antimicrobial Resistance, Port Health, and Food Safety.
According to the Secretary/CEO of the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC) and Chairman of KNPHI Taskforce Operationalisation Simon Indimuli, staff who accept the transition will be placed on the KNPHI payroll under the prevailing remuneration as an interim measure while those who opt to remain in the Ministry will be redeployed accordingly.
Within two months, KNPHI will integrate the transitioned staff into its establishment based on objective criteria developed by its board and approved by SCAC with the terms of service set to be improved from the current conditions.
Globally, NPHIs consolidate the management and coordination of key activities in prevention, early detection of public health emergencies, and facilitation of seamless coordination and communication on public health matters.
