The Cabinet Secretary for Health Nakhumicha S Wafula has underscored government commitment of achieving Universal Health Coverage through orienting health systems towards a primary health care (PHC) approach which includes components such as multisectoral policy and action,empowered people and communities among others.
While reiterating her agenda of strengthening PHC to ensure strong health systems foundations to maintain essential health services,Nakhumicha lauded the gains so far ahead of the Presidential launch of UHC during the forthcoming Mashujaa Day Celebrations.
“The Government will only achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through strengthening of primary health care and empowering community health services, which we rightly call Afya Mashinani” she said.
While strengthening primary health care has long been a core component of the health agenda, research into primary health care expenditure has been limited.
Months ago,the CS expressed her Ministry’s intention to establish primary care networks that would enable seamless and efficient healthcare delivery to patients.
She said the Primary Health Care Bill for instance signifies a pivotal shift in Kenya’s healthcare landscape by nurturing the foundation of health at its grassroots,adding that Kenya’s community health strategy relies on community health workers for outreach at the lowest levels (embedded into communities).
“Community health units are a part of a large Primary Care Networks (PCN).Each unit is linked to a specific level two health facility (dispensary) and a level 3 health facility (a health centre)” further read part of her quote on MoH Twitter account.
Last week,both Kenya Kwanza Alliance and Azimio la Umoja allied Senators came together to support two health bills seeking to allow hospitals to collect and manage their own revenue.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot said the Facilities Improvement Financing Bill 2023 and the Primary Health Care Bill are critical to government’s plan towards making its Universal Health Care Programme a reality.
He noted that the Primary Health Care Bill 2023 champions the provision of health care at the community level with the help of community health volunteers with the bill seeking to create a framework for the delivery and access to management of primary healthcare.
“This time round we must try our level best to ensure that Universal Health Care is implemented, we have had this conversation for too long since 2009 with several challenges, however I am beseeching all Senators notwithstanding their political affiliation to support these bills,” remarked Senator for Kericho County where UHC will be rolled out in October 20
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) means that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship.
