The government has today launched two manuals for the Nurses that will help in improving, promoting and protecting the health of Kenyans.
The two, Manual of Clinical Procedures for Nursing and Midwifery and the Entry-level Scope of Practice for Nurses and Midwives in Kenya will further address the Universal Health Coverage goal.
Speaking during the launch of the two manuals at a Nairobi hotel, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the review of the manuals reflects the spirit of the constitution which underscores a right for people to the highest attainable standard of health and health care services.
“The Ministry of Health recognises the fundamental role nurses and midwives play in achieving the Universal Health Coverage, Kenya Vision 2030, and the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on GOAL 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing that seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all, at all ages,” he said.
The CS whose speech was read by the Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dr Rashid Aman noted that the ministry has sought to increase its capacity in all sectors to enhance accessibility, affordability, availability and acceptability of quality healthcare.
This, he added, will be in line with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four Agenda, which highlights affordable healthcare as a critical delivery area through Universal Health Coverage.
Kagwe noted the need for defining long-term strategies to address constraints in health service delivery and this he said is what has informed the review of the two manual documents.
Photo by Nicholas Nthenge
“Our expectations is that the two documents we are launching today will aid in human resource development and management by guiding performance of nurses and midwives in their day-to day practice,” he said.
The work done by nurses and midwives on a day to day, he added largely determines how health service delivery is viewed by people and what this means is the guidelines in the developed manuals will serve no purpose if they remain in the shelves and do not get expressed through practice and service delivery.
“As we launch these manuals, may I challenge each of the practitioners, that is nurses and midwives, to ensure they breathe life into the guidelines through practice,” Kagwe said.
The dynamic nature of the health care environment, the CS noted requires nursing and midwifery professionals to adapt to the changing trends in their education and practice.
The reviewed Scope of Practice outlines the roles and responsibilities of nurses and midwives cognizant of the legal boundaries of their practice at various entry levels. It also emphasizes individual accountability in making decisions about their roles and responsibilities.
The Manual of Clinical Procedures in Nursing and Midwifery captures; Fundamentals of Nursing; Medical-Surgical Nursing; Midwifery and Obstetrics Nursing; Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing and; Community and Health Nursing,
According to the CS, this when put into practice will provide nurses and midwives with the knowledge and skills that enable them to deliver high-quality care in the key areas that matter to patients, clients and the community at large.
Kagwe acknowledged the role of the highly experienced Nurses and Midwives who have contributed to these valuable reference materials.
“It is my hope that the Council will continue to review these documents to provide detailed, concise and essential clinical updates in all practice areas and this is not for the sake of it, but rather to ensure we continuously improve on our service delivery and really make sure that we always put a smile on the faces of all those seeking health services,” Kagwe said.
The CS thanked nurses and midwives for their commitment, resilience and services provided during this period of Covid-19 pandemic.
By Wangari Ndirangu
