Governors Get Candid with Uhuru over Mega Healthcare Project

President Uhuru Kenyatta speaking at the Health Sector Intergovernmental Forum on Universal Health Coverage in Mombasa County on October 31, 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta speaking at the Health Sector Intergovernmental Forum on Universal Health Coverage in Mombasa County on October 31, 2020.
File

A section of governors on Saturday October 31, had a rare candid moment to directly inform President Uhuru Kenyatta of the challenges that face the Universal Healthcare Coverage - one of the pillars of his Big Four Agenda. 

During the health sector intergovernmental forum on UHC held in Mombasa, the governors pointed fingers at the national government for failing to find an effective strategy for the ailing health sector.

Uhuru listened keenly as Governors served him a dose of reality, warning him that the UHC was likely to fail unless the national government committed resources to ensure the programme was well-financed

Machakos County Governor, Alfred Mutua and his counterpart Kisumu Anyang Nyong'o poked holes in the Universal Healthcare Project pilot program rolled out in December 2018, complaining that it was riddled with challenges.

They stated that proper funding and management of funds would be key to realizing the healthcare project. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) with Health CS Mutahi Kagwe (left) during the biometric registration of the Universal Healthcare Coverage Programme (UHC) in Mombasa County on Saturday, October 30, 2020
President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) with Health CS Mutahi Kagwe (left) during the biometric registration of the Universal Healthcare Coverage Programme (UHC) in Mombasa County on Saturday, October 30, 2020
PSCU

“One of the reasons for pilot programs is to help identify if there are gaps. And for my case, if you ask me, I will tell you without proper funding the programme will fail.

"In most cases, we have had funding delays and that creates very serious problems," Nyong'o stated.

Mutua also faulted the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) stating that it discriminated Kenyans by forcing them to seek health services based on the depth of their pockets.

“NHIF, as it is now, has numerous challenges. It targets to use a class system by diving people based on private and public hospitals. If the whole UHC plan will be implemented with NHIF as its main focus, then the project will not be achieved," he stressed.

Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria also noted that the government focused more on developing bills and spending fortunes in big hotels rather than looking at the practical aspect in implementing the projects.

“Today we are back to the same hotel where our founding President Jomo Kenyatta was in 1966. We need to get out of these hotels and help wananchi who need healthcare.

"We are spending a lot of money in hotels dwelling on literature and reports that end up gathering dust and our people are sick, suffering in silence in their homes,” he stressed. 

Kitui governor, Charity Ngilu also pointed out that the ailing health sector could take note of the previous government's healthcare woes.

She recalled a time when she was the health minister during retired President Kibaki's government, she toured Malaysia to observe their healthcare system. She noted that much to her surprise, the country had implemented the Kenya National Health Insurance Fund of 1966. 

"I met with the health's assistant minister who informed me he would take me through their Universal Health Coverage. So as I prepared to listen keenly, he rolled back on his seat and picked a document and handed it over to me.

"I was shocked to see it was the Kenya National Health Insurance Fund document of 1966. He told me, go and implement that because that is what they used. Although I said thank you, I can’t lie to you, I have never felt so embarrassed. I was out looking sheepish,” Ngilu stated.

President Uhuru, on Saturday, October 31, rolled out a nationwide biometric system to enhance the UHC scheme which was initially piloted in four counties. 

He added that the government would provide health insurance cover to 1 million vulnerable households unable to meet the Ksh 6000 per household, per annum to access the health benefits package.

"The scheme we are launching today must be a success. In this context, I urge NHIF to ensure funds committed to its custody are utilized prudently with utmost transparency accountability. Any person who attempts to abuse its process will be dealt with accordingly," he reiterated. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta declared a national priority as part of his 'Big Four Agenda' in December 2018. Under the initiative, the Government of Kenya has committed to making strategic investments in health to ensure that all residents of Kenya can access the essential health services they require by 2022.

Ministry of Health's Afya House Building in Nairobi, Kenya.
Ministry of Health's Afya House Building in Nairobi, Kenya.
Photo
Ministry of Health
  • .