Why Health Ministry Impressed By Laikipias UHC Model
Updated on: Jan 26, 2021
Laikipias Universal Health Coverage Model has won the admiration of the Ministry of Health which now eager to ensure its implementation to other parts of the country.
Dr Pacifica Onyancha, a director at the directorate of Preventive and Promotive Health at the Ministry said the directorate will be partnering with Laikipia County in implementation of the UHC Model.
The model focuses mostly in increased investment in promotive and primary health institutions with community health volunteers playing a key role. This model goes against the traditional model where a lot of health investment happens at the top level institutions at the expense of those primary level.
Dr Onyancha said that CHVs have a critical role in the success of the UHC since they provide the link between the government and the community. Her directorate will be supporting the training of CHVs at a cost of Shs 42 million per year.
Dr Onyancha spoke when the country marked the 3rd National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week at Nanyukis Central Park on January 19, 2021.
"Laikipia is a health-oriented county. No wonder it is the leading county on NHIF enrollment. I appreciate Governor Muriithi for having given health a priority in his manifesto which is ensuring health coverage for Laikipians," said Dr. Onyancha.
She also congratulated the County First Lady Maria Mbeneka who is also the CFLA chair for her Hongera Mama Kit initiative.
She applauded the county for the successful implementation of UHC model with 67% of the residents have being enrolled in NHIF cover.
The ministry of health will be partnering with the county government to achieve full coverage by ensuring there is support in the primary health care.
The national government through the ministry of health has also adopted Laikipias model in the delivery of universal healthcare throughout the country.
Director of Preventative, Primary Health care in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Pacifica Onyancha, described Laikipia as a health-oriented county. She says uniquely, the county was not among the initial 4 counties that carried out the pilot model on UHC, it is so much ahead in the implementation stage.
The Cervical Cancer Awareness started at Nturukuma Dispensary to emphasis the importance of primary health care. Primary Health care involves the most basic package of essential health services and products needed to prevent disease, promote health and manage illness. Residents need to visit their nearest health center for screening of cervical cancer.
The primary health care is seen as the most important component of achieving the UHC as most diseases will be managed through early detection. The county is keen in ensuring that all health centres in the county are adequately equipped to achieve that.
"Dispensaries are the first link for the community health volunteers in their work," Dr. Onyacha notes. She adds that functional CHVs are able to provide actionable data to the health centres.
To note is that currently, 90% of public facilities are offering the cancer screening services which brings them closer to all Laikipia residents. One does not need to go to the referral hospitals for the basic screening but only needs to visit the nearby dispensary.
According to Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, it is important to ensure health facilities at the grassroots level offer these services and are easy accessibility of the health services to all Laikipia people.
"UHC is 95% dependent on primary health facilities, hence the need for strengthening and equipping of such facilities," said governor Muriithi. He adds that to achieve UHC, there is need to excel at primary health care.
To eradicate the cervical cancer, and generally all cancers, there is a need to early detection before the condition spreads beyond treatment levels. This will save many families the high cost of treatment which can be avoided by early interventions.
Governor Muriithi says that his aim is to ensure that every resident is reached by most of health services that the county can be able to offer in a cost-effective manner. According to him, this will enable Laikipians to seek health services that do not lead into catastrophic financial ruin to them.
As Laikipia, we know that the key pillar of UHC is financing health, for that we are partnering with NHIF and other private insurance firms to achieve this, Governor notes.
Some of the cancer survivors are witnesses on the need for early cancer detection for better medication and recovery. Winnie Wambui, a survivor, urges everyone to be screened to save on the costs that comes with cancer treatment.
Dr Pacifica Onyancha, a director at the directorate of Preventive and Promotive Health at the Ministry said the directorate will be partnering with Laikipia County in implementation of the UHC Model.
The model focuses mostly in increased investment in promotive and primary health institutions with community health volunteers playing a key role. This model goes against the traditional model where a lot of health investment happens at the top level institutions at the expense of those primary level.
Dr Onyancha said that CHVs have a critical role in the success of the UHC since they provide the link between the government and the community. Her directorate will be supporting the training of CHVs at a cost of Shs 42 million per year.
Dr Onyancha spoke when the country marked the 3rd National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week at Nanyukis Central Park on January 19, 2021.
"Laikipia is a health-oriented county. No wonder it is the leading county on NHIF enrollment. I appreciate Governor Muriithi for having given health a priority in his manifesto which is ensuring health coverage for Laikipians," said Dr. Onyancha.
She also congratulated the County First Lady Maria Mbeneka who is also the CFLA chair for her Hongera Mama Kit initiative.
She applauded the county for the successful implementation of UHC model with 67% of the residents have being enrolled in NHIF cover.
The ministry of health will be partnering with the county government to achieve full coverage by ensuring there is support in the primary health care.
The national government through the ministry of health has also adopted Laikipias model in the delivery of universal healthcare throughout the country.
Director of Preventative, Primary Health care in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Pacifica Onyancha, described Laikipia as a health-oriented county. She says uniquely, the county was not among the initial 4 counties that carried out the pilot model on UHC, it is so much ahead in the implementation stage.
The Cervical Cancer Awareness started at Nturukuma Dispensary to emphasis the importance of primary health care. Primary Health care involves the most basic package of essential health services and products needed to prevent disease, promote health and manage illness. Residents need to visit their nearest health center for screening of cervical cancer.
The primary health care is seen as the most important component of achieving the UHC as most diseases will be managed through early detection. The county is keen in ensuring that all health centres in the county are adequately equipped to achieve that.
"Dispensaries are the first link for the community health volunteers in their work," Dr. Onyacha notes. She adds that functional CHVs are able to provide actionable data to the health centres.
To note is that currently, 90% of public facilities are offering the cancer screening services which brings them closer to all Laikipia residents. One does not need to go to the referral hospitals for the basic screening but only needs to visit the nearby dispensary.
According to Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, it is important to ensure health facilities at the grassroots level offer these services and are easy accessibility of the health services to all Laikipia people.
"UHC is 95% dependent on primary health facilities, hence the need for strengthening and equipping of such facilities," said governor Muriithi. He adds that to achieve UHC, there is need to excel at primary health care.
To eradicate the cervical cancer, and generally all cancers, there is a need to early detection before the condition spreads beyond treatment levels. This will save many families the high cost of treatment which can be avoided by early interventions.
Governor Muriithi says that his aim is to ensure that every resident is reached by most of health services that the county can be able to offer in a cost-effective manner. According to him, this will enable Laikipians to seek health services that do not lead into catastrophic financial ruin to them.
As Laikipia, we know that the key pillar of UHC is financing health, for that we are partnering with NHIF and other private insurance firms to achieve this, Governor notes.
Some of the cancer survivors are witnesses on the need for early cancer detection for better medication and recovery. Winnie Wambui, a survivor, urges everyone to be screened to save on the costs that comes with cancer treatment.
