The ministry of Health has today launched two key documents and a web based health information system to strengthen the delivery of health services across the country.
The Kenya Harmonized Health Facility Assessment report, the Kenya Health and Research Observatory and County Vital Signs Profile are aimed at improving service delivery in the health sector.
Outgoing health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Sicily Kariuki in a speech read on her behalf on Wednesday by Senior Deputy Director of Medical Services Dr. Patrick Amoth said that the Kenya health sector has a responsibility of securing the health needs of every Kenyan and as a ministry are in a position to scale up universal coverage to ensure that every Kenyan can access affordable and quality healthcare.
“It is paramount that we determine the level of availability of our facilities to provide quality health services,” said Kariuki.
She added that 27 counties have already signed intergovernmental participatory agreement with the national government and the ministry of devolution.
The CS pointed out that if complications of pregnancy and delivery services can be addressed, then more than 60 percent of health challenges would as well be addressed.
“There is need for more investments in health to ensure services are available to all Kenyans. Some of the most critical gaps are unavailability of services for chronic diseases such as cancer and mental health,” said the CS.
The head of the Health Service Management department, Dr Joseph Sitienei said that the data collected by Kenya Health Research Observatory (KHRO) will be used to inform policy and plans, ensure accountability and reporting, improve quality of services provided, raise additional resources, strengthen programs and improve results.
“The KHRO will improve the availability, quality and use of information for decision making by strengthening health information systems including public health surveillance and this system pulls data from many sources including KEMSA,” Sitienei added.
Head of Division of Measure and Evaluation Dr. Hellen Kiarie highlighted that the finding from KHRO has brought together various health facilities partners both globally and locally including USAID, World Health Organization (WHO), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), World Bank, United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Fund Population Activity (UNFPA), Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF) and Development Partners in health care ( DPHK ).
The partners from different organizations confirmed their support for the ministry of health’s report.
By KNA team
