President Uhuru Kenyatta finally heeded to an outcry by Kenyans over how politicians sought treatment abroad as common mwananchi languished in Kenyan facilities, and directed the Ministry of Health and key private sectors to join hands to improve the health sector in Kenya, arguing that the nation was better placed to challenge established nations such as India and Thailand.
Kenyatta, while speaking at Kenya's first Healthcare Convention Expo and Conference at Sarit Centre, Nairobi on Monday, March 9, disclosed that over Ksh 10 billion was spent abroad as patients sought treatment in Asia and the Middle east.
"I call on non-state actors, insurance, and other companies to join hands in pulling resources to extend medical researches in Kenya as the world is looking up to us as we aim to be a serious health care provider.
"We should transform ideas into reality as we make collective efforts in achieving good health for all. We are strategically prepared as private hospitals have been attending to patients from other African countries and our own nation. As demonstrated, innovative models of partnership can improve Kenya's health system," Kenyatta stated.
This was after listening to Health CS Mutahi Kagwe's proposals on how his docket sought to ensure India and Kenya were at par in providing health services.
Kagwe had wondered why Kenyans sought treatment in India, declaring that the cost of healthcare, diagnosis and equipment in Kenya should be less than or equal to India.
"How then do we make it less than or equal to India? First, the cost of healthcare and equipment should be analysed. We beseech banks to be sensitive to the fact that the equipment should be amortised over a much longer period than the three years they would give equipment purchasers.
"Secondly, we should heighten doctor professionalism by restructuring non-clinical soft skills training, promotion of patient-centred approach to patient care as opposed to individualistic treatment approach by specialists.
"Thirdly, I am going to establish an ICT directorate in my ministry, to leverage on ICT and fully automate health centre from Afya House, promote e-health and link centres in Kenya with facilities abroad through telemedicine" Kagwe disclosed his formula that would solve the contentious issue.
According to the CS, Kenya was doing better in terms of health despite efforts by critics to portray it as a collapsing nation.
On Friday, January 3, Nairobi Woman Representative, Esther Passaris ignited an online debate after she disclosed that she had spent her New Year's Eve (2019) at Care Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) Hospital in India, following a successful spinal surgery
Kenyans ranted on the state of health in Kenya, arguing that politicians enjoyed better services out of the country, as health facilities in Kenya were impoverished.
"This is a Kenyan MP in the capital city of Nairobi, saying she went for treatment abroad because hospitals in the city lack facilities, qualified personnel and ability to treat her. Poor Kenyans who can't afford (treatment) abroad should just die, that's what she is saying," Enoch Cheruiyot lamented.
"There is a spinal injury hospital in Nairobi. A public hospital," rapper King Kaka suggested.
According to the ODM legislator, she and all other Nairobi residents strived for the best and that's why she invested in becoming a leader to bring change.
"Everything isn't always about us and them. How would compromising my health benefit the health of slum dwellers? My experiences help shape our health care reforms goals as a leader and a citizen," Passaris argued as economist David Ndii jumped in and defended her.
"Why are you so mean? Esther had two back surgeries in Kenya last year. Are you suggesting people in public life should sacrifice their wellbeing for political correctness?" Ndii quizzed.
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