The Ministry of Health (MoH) flagged off the completion of the master trainers of trainers training programme Wednesday for the deployment of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) across the country.
Speaking at Afya Grounds during the flagging off, the Principal Secretary (PS) for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni outlined a significant milestone in the realisation of the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) on health.
She emphasised that the resolute focus is enhancing healthcare services for every Kenyan through Universal Health Coverage (UHC) “Afya Bora Mashinani”.
“In the journey to achieve accessible, available, affordable and acceptable quality healthcare, we have recruited the targeted 100,000 Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPs),” remarked Muthoni.
The PS voiced that they have also conducted assessments of 14,375 Public, Faith Based and Private hospitals across the country to gauge the resources available at the institutions and the services they provide.
She at the same time noted that this would serve as a foundation for evidence-based policy formulation, meticulous planning and thoughtful programming within the health sector towards the achievement of data driven UHC.
“This year’s Mashujaa Day to be celebrated in Kericho County on 20th October 2023 whose theme will be ‘Universal Health Care’ will see the launch of Smart Primary Care Networks by H.E the President at Kapkatet Hospital in Bureti Sub-County in Kericho County,” said Ms Muthoni.
She said her Ministry is working tirelessly to build the capacity of Kericho County Health Department to see the success of this initiative.
Muthoni added that in the formation of PCNs, they aimed to extend the coverage of their Community Health Units (CHUs) to reach the ambitious target of 9,100.
She said the CHUs would serve as the frontlines of the healthcare delivery channel, ensuring that care is accessible to everyone, especially in remote areas.
“Our vision is nothing short of transformative. We are reshaping our healthcare delivery system to place an unwavering emphasis on preventive and promotive healthcare in accordance with the four UHC pillars, Human Resource for Health, Digital Health, Commodity Security and Health Care Financing,” remarked Muthoni.
The PS said that this strategic shift was aimed at alleviating the nation’s disease burden and enhancing the overall well-being of every Kenyan by providing an efficient, integrated, and affordable healthcare system.
By Carol Mawia and Nice Wambui
