The government of Kenya has intensified preparations for the launch of Universal Health Coverage (UHC)during this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kericho County.
President William Ruto is preparing to launch UHC, a government initiative that will facilitate access to quality and affordable healthcare.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Health cabinet secretary Susan Nakhumicha and other senior government officials have been in Kericho to oversee the preparations for the event scheduled on October 20.
At the same time, the Kericho County commissioner Karungo Kamau has confirmed that he was working closely with the County governor Erick Mutai and other leaders in the region to ensure success of the presidential event.
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“We have put all the security measures in place as additional security officers have also been deployed ahead of the President’s visit in the County on Mashujaa Day,” said Kamau.
Kamau was speaking during the ongoing Mashujaa conference at the Kapkatet Stadium in Kericho County.
The Mashujaa conference is being used for highlighting some of the efforts by the Ministry of Health and other partners in ensuring success of UHC.
Themed, ‘Health systems reforms for universal health coverage,’ the Mashujaa conference has also been used by partners in the health sector to showcase some of their digital innovations geared towards achieving UHC.
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However, this is not the first time for government to launch UHC, as it was one of the big four agenda during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.
At that time, the program failed after it was piloted in Kisumu, Machakos, Nyeri and Isiolo counties in 2018.
Despite the challenges, President Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza government have maintained a dedication to launch UHC.
According to the Heath CS Susan Nakhumicha, the UHC agenda failed in the former regime due to a lack of laws to operationalise it.
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Nakhumicha explained that UHC will be a reality in Kenya with the enactment of the proposed UHC bills namely the Primary Health Care Bill, Facility Improvement Financing Bill, Digital Health Bill and the Social Health Insurance Bill.
As a result, all Kenyans will be expected to enrol on a medical health scheme-the Social Health Authority, which shall replace National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
During an interview on national TV, Nakhumicha emphasized that the proposed bills will guarantee the provision of quality healthcare to all Kenyans.
“The bills will also help develop primary health networks to have a clear referral system, with enrolment of community health promoters into the healthcare system,” said Nakhumicha.
On the other hand, deputy president Rigathi Gachagua who was speaking on Monday during the Mashujaa conference explained that Kenya Kwanza government has listed healthcare as one of the four pillars of the bottom-up economic transformation agenda.
Gachagua noted that the government was committed in ensuring UHC is successful in offering preventive, curative and rehabilitative services.
