Health Sector Intergovernmental Forum On Universal Health Coverage UHC In Mombasa
Updated on: Nov 18, 2020
HEALTH SECTOR INTERGOVERNMENTAL FORUM ON UNIVERSAL HEALTHCOVERAGE UHC IN MOMBASA
A two day Health sector forum dubbed 'Scale Up of Universal Health Coverage Under The Big 4 Agenda,' ended today in Mombasa where the Laikipia County team was led by the Deputy Governor, HE John Mwaniki.
The forum extensively discussed NHIF as the Key vehicle of UHC. It noted that improvement is much needed to have a more comprehensive health insurance scheme that is cognisant of Mwananchi’s income and how then it can be moderated to have ALL Kenyan citizens covered.
Therefore, robust identification of the poor and vulnerable people at county levels would be done biometrically. DG John Mwaniki submitted that Laikipia is way ahead as we already have ‘Imarisha Afya Initiative’ fashioned to benefit vulnerable Laikipians.
It was agreed that hospitals, public and private, need a seamless link to the NHIF insurance cover by standardising charges. That way we ensure Mwananchi with a health emergency need will not have to fear getting medication from the nearest health centre, public or private.
For this to happen, and for the success of UHC to be realised, the centralisation of NHIF operations at Nairobi must be revised - devolving these operations to regional offices with close collaboration with County Governments - for Health is a devolved function.
Importantly, on Medics training, the forum agreed that doctor’s post-graduate training will be based on the County's need. That way, each County is able to identify its shortfalls and budget to remedy through training.
Also, KEMSA being a key enabler of UHC was extensively discussed. It was agreed, transformational changes need to be initiated from digitization of its processes to devolving its functions through regional or even county Depos to minimise delays in drug delivery to County hospitals.
President Uhuru Kenyatta Uhuru Kenyatta officially closed the forum that was hosted by Governor Ali Hassan Joho of Mombasa County and chaired by Health Hon. Mutahi Kagwe.
