WILL PRESIDENT RUTO’S UHC SUCCEED?
NHIF statistics indicate that 80% of their funding goes to private hospitals.
October 20, 2023 – Kenya embarks on a challenging journey to provide universal access to high-quality healthcare services for all whose implementation failed in the past five years largely because of financing hurdles, lack of human resources and high cost of medication and care , regardless of their socioeconomic status. The UHC garnered mixed success on the global stage. The burning question on many Kenyan minds is whether William Ruto will succeed.
In the 2023/24 financial year, the healthcare sector was allocated Ksh. 141 billion. The current government has introduced a novel approach to healthcare delivery, with President Ruto outlining four key pillars:
- Human Resources for Health:** This pillar aims to bolster the healthcare workforce, including the deployment of community healthcare services.
- Integrated Health Information Management System:** An initiative to streamline health information management.
- Healthcare Financing:This seeks to improve the existing funding system under the NHIF Act.
- Health Products and Technologies:Focusing on medical equipment and technologies.
The proposed Social Health Authority (SHA) is set to replace NHIF and comprises three distinct categories:
- Social Health Insurance:Covering services from levels 4 to 6, including fertility services.
- Primary Health Care Fund:Designed to finance health services in levels 1 to 3.
- Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund:** To provide support for emergencies and chronic illnesses once the social insurance resources are depleted.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) expressed reservations about this move, asserting that many public hospitals lack essential facilities, forcing a majority of Kenyans to seek care in private hospitals. NHIF, in their view, is not the issue; rather, the problem lies within our healthcare institutions.
NHIF statistics indicate that 80% of their funding goes to private hospitals. Although Kenya has 70% hospital coverage, patients often struggle to access treatment due to issues such as drug shortages. While the initiative is commendable, citizens require assurances that they will indeed receive the healthcare services promised. Currently, many Kenyans still resort to selling their assets to afford medical care, as financial constraints persist,” said Davij Atella, the head of KMPDU.
He further implored the government to provide a clear timeline for how long citizens must wait for medical services in both public and private hospitals before the available funds are exhausted.
The government has taken a positive step by employing 100,000 community health promoters, who will be stationed in various counties to serve 100 households each. This move aims to bring healthcare services closer to citizens, reducing the need for lengthy journeys to access healthcare facilities.
President Ruto’s UHC plan is anticipated to alleviate the financial burden of chronic diseases, which currently costs Kenyans over Ksh 10 billion annually when seeking medical attention in India.
Report by Jesse Abisheck
Contact: Email – abijessyshi@gmail.com