The government is shifting focus to preventive healthcare services as part of its strategy to fix healthcare from the bottom, Health Cabinet Secretary, Susan Nakhumicha has said.
Nakhumicha says that previously, the government concentrated on curative services that saw the government invest in high-end hospitals.
She was speaking at Siaya county government headquarters when she paid a courtesy call to Siaya governor, James Orengo.
“Our focus is to prevent diseases and rehabilitate those with chronic issues,” said the Cabinet Secretary.
She said that the shift of focus was the reason why the government wants to invest heavily in community health promoters who will be expected to play a pivotal role in educating the people on hygiene and safe living.
Nakhumicha said that studies have shown that up to 70% of illnesses that lead Kenyans to hospital are preventable adding each of the community health promoters will be issued with a smartphone that has an application to enable them to collect household data.
“County governments will have access to the data for their respective counties to enable them to make informed decisions on their healthcare needs,” said the CS.
As part of the shift of focus from curative to preventive, Nakhumicha said that the national government will work hand in hand with the counties to equip and improve the infrastructure in level 2 hospitals that will act as referral points by the community health promoters.
Siaya governor, James Orengo welcomed the change of focus to preventive and the decision to rope in community health promoters who, he said, have for years played a critical role in the society.
By Philip Onyango
