First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on Saturday revealed that the Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki has impressed her following her dedication to her work.
Speaking during the opening of the heart management conference, the First Lady expressed her gratitude to the CS together with her team in the Ministry of Health.
Mrs Kenyatta mentioned that she is also appreciative of the government's support for committing resources and training of community health workers across the country to expand efforts to combat the rise of cardiovascular disease.
[caption caption="File image of President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Health CS Sicily Kariuki"]
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Additionally, she exclaimed that she regretted that majority of Kenyans lack access to the immediate care required to save their lives due to lack of information.
"The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) has integrated cardiovascular care, as an outpatient service, in prevention and detection of hypertension to shield patients, and their families from a cascade of financial challenges that result from this disease," Mrs Kenyatta noted.
She also pointed out that the collaboration and partnerships between the public and private sectors are important in expanding efforts to increase access and build capacity to deal with the disease within the country.
The Africa Stemi Live 2018 Conference, which is being held in Nairobi, strives to engage all key healthcare professionals involved in the prevention and treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes.
The two-day conference which is being attended by 300 health practitioners from across Africa, Europe, America and the Middle East will introduce the ‘Heart of Africa’ meeting, which aims to broaden the discussion beyond acute coronary syndromes.
It will take a focused approach to unique African challenges in cardiovascular disease.
While opening the conference on Friday evening, the First Lady expressed optimism that the recommendations made at the conference would help advance national strategies for tackling the cardiovascular disease.
[caption caption="File image of First Lady Margaret Kenyatta amongst other government officials during the opening of the conference"]
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