A total of 808 health facilities have been assessed in the ongoing National Health Facility Census, including 551 dispensaries and clinics, 176 health centres, and 81 level 4 hospitals.
State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary (PS), Mary Muthoni Muriuki, explained that the census exercise is a vital initiative aimed at comprehensively assessing healthcare facilities across the country for the services they provide.
“Launched on August 14th, 2023, this census marks a significant step forward in enhancing healthcare delivery and planning in Kenya by assessing existing gaps in key resources such as infrastructure, equipment, and health workers in our health facilities,” she said.
Muriuki, speaking on Friday during a tour of Aga Khan and Langata Hospitals to assess the survey’s progress, said that the goal of the National Health Facility Census is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of 15,000 health facilities, capturing essential data that will guide future healthcare policies and strategies.
The PS highlighted that the census is being conducted by a skilled team of professionals who possess a deep understanding of healthcare systems.
“The National Health Facility Census is a collaborative effort, bringing together experts from the Ministry of Health, health professional regulatory agencies, the private sector, and county governments,” she said.
Muriuki explained that this unified approach ensures that the census collects accurate data, which will help refocus and align investments to improve the health and well-being of all Kenyans.
“We are happy to report that the survey is progressing well with dedicated teams actively visiting all health facilities, public, private, and faith-owned, across the country. The census is being led in each county by a skilled professional who possesses a deep understanding of the healthcare system,” she said.
The PS added that the Ministry of Health recognises the importance of engaging healthcare providers, public, private, and faith-based organisations in this process, in a collaborative effort to make healthcare available to all Kenyans.
According to Muriuki, the data collected from this census will serve as a foundation for evidence-based decision-making within the health sector, including ensuring that the population can access quality healthcare within a reasonable distance and at a reasonable cost.
“Furthermore, the insights gained will shape policy formulation, planning, and programming, guiding the allocation of resources and improving service delivery,” she said.
The PS said that the National Health Facility Census also holds great importance for the government, including providing accurate and comprehensive data to inform strategic health policies and initiatives, enabling the government to allocate resources efficiently and effectively to address healthcare gaps, and facilitating evidence-based planning for healthcare infrastructure and workforce development, among many other benefits.
“The Ministry of Health remains dedicated to delivering the Kenya Kwanza commitments on improving access to quality, affordable healthcare. We acknowledge the dedication of all parties involved in this critical activity,” said the PS.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
