Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja on Thursday, September 15, appointed former Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor, Prof Olive Mugenda to lead a task force that will work on reforming Nairobi City County's Health Sector.
In a statement, Sakaja appointed six members in the task force, comprising outgoing Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi, Dr. Anastacia Nyalita, Dr. Githinji Gitahi, Ms. Dorcas Kemunto, Dr. William Charles Fryda and Karei Mwenda.
Nairobi county's Jairus Musumba was appointed to be the secretariat.
Part of the roles of the task force includes reviewing the citizens’ access to Quality Health Services, assessing the status of all Public Health Facilities, reviewing the Supply Chain Management of Pharma and Non-Pharma products and assessing the status of Health Information Management and proposing interventions towards a comprehensive Health Information Management System.
Other roles include reviewing the current Human Resource Capacity and assessing the Gaps and proposing an Efficient Health Financing Model.
Sakaja also affirmed that the existing members may appoint other members to an advisory role in a bid to perform their mandate. The task force is required to submit a report to the Nairobi Governor within 45 days from the date of appointment.
"The Taskforce shall prepare and submit its report to the Governor of Nairobi City County Government together with its recommendations within Forty-Five (45) days from the date of its appointment. The Office of the Governor shall constitute the secretariat of the Taskforce," Sakaja stated.
On Sunday, September 11, Sakaja witnessed the dire situation at Mama Lucy Kibaki hospital with scores of patients crowding to receive medical attention. This was attributed to staff shortage and lack of adequate equipment in the hospital.
"The situation is not good! Mothers should not be sharing beds, patients not being attended to on time, drugs not being available," Sakaja noted.
The governor vowed to improve the health sector within the county.
"I apologize on behalf of the previous administration as well as the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) for the state of things. We will take better care of you. I will not rest until we achieve this," the governor assured.
In his manifesto, Sakaja promised to give the healthcare system a new face. He planned to implement an Integrated Hospital Information Management System (IHIMS) and health financing by settling debt and allowing a smooth supply of medicine.
