The Ministry of Health has launched the Rehabilitative Services and Assistive Technology Strategy 2022-2026, Disability Medical Assessment and Categorization Guidelines 2022, and the ATscale Project.
The Rehabilitative Services and Assistive Technology Strategy 2022-2026, developed in collaboration with Clinton Health Access Initiative and other stakeholders, envisages for increased access to care up to the primary healthcare and community levels by developing infrastructure, building human resource capacity, and providing equipment needed for rehabilitation services.
Speaking during the launch at a Nairobi hotel, Eng. Peter Tum, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Medical Services, emphasized the need for extensive healthcare services to support the increasing number of Kenyans living with disabilities, which is estimated to be 0.9 million or 2.2% of the population.
“We are excited to see the impact these initiatives will have on the lives of Kenyans living with disabilities, and we remain committed to providing oversight and guidance to ensure their success,” said Tum who was represented by Dr. Zeinab Gura, Acting Director, Health Care Services.
The PS said the Ministry of Health is committed to prioritizing the provision of rehabilitative services by reviewing the harmonized benefit package to include the rehabilitation package, developing the list of essential assistive technology, and streamlining the training of human resource for rehabilitation services.
“We are excited to see the positive impact these initiatives will have on the lives of Kenyans living with disabilities,” said Tum.
The Disability Medical Assessment and Categorization Guidelines were developed to guide the appropriate and timely identification and categorization of disabilities. The guidelines bring services closer to Kenyans through decentralizing the validation of disability assessment to the County Directors of Health.
The ATscale Project, a three-year project geared towards supporting capacity building, strengthening supply chain for assistive technology, sustainable financing, development of policy and guidelines, enhancing infrastructure, data, and systems, enhancing demand generation, and program coordination, will also be implemented.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from the council of Governors Mary Mwiti stated that a majority of people with disabilities are the elderly and those with chronic diseases.
“The challenges noted by the Council of Governors include insufficient data with no accurate statistical information on the no of PWDs, causing unequal distribution of resources,” said Mwiti.
She added that the Council of Governors plays a major role in ensuring County contribution towards PWDs and urging cohesiveness between the government, private partners and stakeholders.
By Eunice Wangare and Elizabeth Mugo
