On April 29, 2024, the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, convened a consultative breakfast meeting with staff from the Directorate of Family Health at the Ministry of Health. The meeting brought together teams from various key divisions, including the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH), Mental Health, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and Immunization. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the evolving healthcare landscape and the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to align with the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
The discussions focused on adapting to emerging healthcare needs and ensuring that health programs continue to meet the demands of a growing and diverse population. One of the major topics of discussion was the roll-out of the Social Health Authority (SHA), which is seen as a critical step toward achieving UHC. The SHA is expected to play a pivotal role in managing healthcare services more efficiently, ensuring that health systems are adequately funded, and addressing disparities in access to quality health services.
Priority areas for action were identified, and these included vaccination, health commodity security, strengthening Human Resources for Health (HRH), and the digitization of healthcare services. Each of these areas is essential in improving service delivery, reducing inefficiencies, and ensuring that essential health services are accessible to all Kenyans. Vaccination, in particular, remains a key priority as it is vital in the prevention of infectious diseases and the protection of vulnerable populations.
Health commodity security was highlighted as an area requiring urgent attention, given its direct impact on the availability of essential medicines and equipment at health facilities across the country. Strengthening the supply chain to ensure that these commodities are readily available is critical for maintaining the quality of care and preventing disruptions in service delivery.
Another priority discussed was the enhancement of Human Resources for Health. The meeting emphasized the need for continued investment in healthcare workers, not only in terms of numbers but also in terms of their training, support, and retention. This focus on HRH is crucial in ensuring that health facilities are staffed with skilled professionals who can deliver quality care to the population.
The digitization of healthcare services was also underscored as a transformative strategy that can enhance efficiency, improve data collection and analysis, and streamline the delivery of health services. The integration of technology into healthcare services is seen as a key enabler in achieving the goals of UHC, as it can help to bridge gaps in service delivery, especially in remote and underserved areas.
Dr. Oluga stressed the importance of open and solution-oriented dialogue among the various divisions and stakeholders. He urged the teams to remain focused on tangible outcomes that contribute to advancing the country’s health priorities. The PS noted that the Ministry of Health is committed to ensuring that every Kenyan has access to quality healthcare services, regardless of their location or socio-economic status.
Dr. Isaack Bashir, the Director of Family Health, expressed the Directorate’s full support for the PS’s initiatives and reiterated their commitment to working towards shared health goals. He emphasized that collaboration between various health sectors is crucial in overcoming the challenges the country faces in achieving UHC.
Dr. Oluga was accompanied by Dr. Patrick Amoth, the Director General for Health, along with other senior officials from the Ministry. Together, they pledged to continue their efforts to improve the healthcare system in Kenya and ensure that it remains responsive to the needs of the population. The meeting underscored the importance of a coordinated approach in tackling the country’s health challenges and improving the health outcomes for all Kenyans.
