Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo on Wednesday, September 25 attended a meeting meant for the preparation of the roll out of the Universal Health-Care programme.

The meeting, convened in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, was held at the Kenya School of Government, Lower Kabete Campus.

In his remarks, PS Omollo underscored the collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, insisting that bringing together health officials and National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) will ensure that health care reaches every corner of our country, leaving no one behind.

PS Omollo noted that health is a critical pillar of Kenya Kwanza Government agenda, in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

According to the PS, Universal Health Care (UHC) is not just a policy objective; it is a national imperative that demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that every Kenyan, regardless of their age and socioeconomic status, has access to quality and affordable health services.

“In Kenya, healthcare is a fundamental constitutional right, and it is, therefore, our collective responsibility to safeguard that right. For this vision to be realized, it requires collaboration across sectors and the active involvement of communities themselves,” PS Omollo said.

The success of UHC, PS Omollo added, will require the onboarding of NGAO officers. “The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration provides an infrastructure that transcends the length and breadth of the country. Officers present today are only but a smaller fraction of the entire National Government Administration. This robust machinery has 8 Regional Commissioners, 47 County Commissioners, 389 Deputy County Commissioners, 986 Assistant County Commissioners, 3,999 Chiefs and 9,104 Assistant Chiefs who are ready and available for this critical assignment.”

“As we prepare for the SHIF roll-out that is slated to be launched on 1st October 2024, your role and effort becomes more critical and geared towards ensuring that all Kenyans benefit from this transformative initiative,” PS Omollo told the NGAO officers present during the meeting. “In addition, your leadership and co-ordination will be key in mobilizing communities for the mass registration. This will go a long way in ensuring seamless transition for the NHIF to the new cover. The synergy between Health Officials and NGAOs
is therefore, essential for the success of this programme.”

He implored the officers present to cascade the same information to officers working under them, so that no Kenyan is left behind in this programme.

“I have confidence in you as you have successfully delivered on many other National Government assignments in the past. While commending you for this, I urge you to accord this task full support and attention that it requires to attain the desired goals.”

However, PS Omollo rued that disinformation and misinformation on the programme is a scenario that poses a challenge.

“With the sensitization today, you shall be equipped with the requisite knowledge to not only manage and counter the same, but to also disseminate the correct information to the public.”