Health Cabinet Secretary (CS), Dr Deborah Barasa, has said the Ministry of Health (MoH) is taking all the necessary measures, to curb the withdrawal of aid by the United States (US).
Speaking at a press brief in Nairobi, Wednesday, Dr. Barasa admitted the country’s heavy blow, due to the withdrawal of the U.S government foreign aid, which she noted was a boost in the nation’s health care system.
“As we continue to navigate these complex health challenges, it is now becoming a reality that Taifa Care, that is Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which offers affordable, accessible and quality healthcare to Kenyans, is really paramount at this time,” the CS noted.
Dr Barasa emphasized that it is critical as a nation to think of sustainable solutions for Domestic Health Financing, by enhancing the Social Health Authority (SHA), which will be having funding from members’ contributions, the National Treasury and other alternative sources of funding.
The CS said that this will ensure continuity in offering care and treatment to HIV, TB and Malaria patients, who have been receiving support from the U.S government.
“Despite the global health challenges, we want to assure you that the Government of Kenya through the MOH, is ensuring there is continuity of essential health services for all Kenyans, including the HIV, TB and other critical health services,” Barasa reiterated.
“The withdrawal of the funds is a wake-up call to us Kenyans, to see how we can have sustainability, how we can stand on our own feet and how we can become self-reliant in matters of health,” she remarked.
The CS further acknowledged the role that the global partners, including; World Health Organization (WHO), Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS(UNAIDS), among others, have done in terms of technical advice, leadership to impact the Health sector.
Echoing the CS, Director General (DG) for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, said it is important to work together with all stakeholders, that is the County governments and all the development partners, for integration of health care services.
“Primary health care services usually are integrated, they’re comprehensive, promote inclusivity and that is the way to go as we implement Taifa Care,” Amoth added.
He admitted that MoH has learnt lessons from counties that have implemented best practices and appealed to other counties to share their experiences, so that they can jointly integrate the Health Care Services.
“As we work on the domestic resource mobilization front, it is paramount we review our processes to ensure that we are able to support our programs fully going forward,” he remarked.
The DG promised that MoH will continue issuing comprehensive weekly briefings on the health sector.
By Emmanuel Mbuthia and Clinton Ng’iela
