Health Cabinet Secretary Calls for Tightened Oversight in Kenya’s Health SectorMurang’a County Advances in Healthcare with Hospital Automation

Busia, Kenya – Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has called upon regional governors to address and rectify existing loopholes within Kenya’s health sector. These gaps, she pointed out, have been significantly undermining the quality of services in numerous healthcare facilities across the country.

According to Kenya News Agency, who spoke in Busia following an inspection tour of local health facilities, the problem persists despite the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) providing necessary medical drugs. A notable issue she highlighted was the lack of essential pharmaceutical supplies in many health institutions.

Nakhumicha expressed concerns over the historical manipulation of the health sector by cartels, particularly within KEMSA and the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) schemes. “Health sector for many years has been hijacked by cartels who controlled the KEMSA and NHIF scheme. We must remain vigilant if we want to restore order in the sector,” said Nakhumicha. The Cabinet Secretary emphasized her commitment to dismantling these cartels in the Ministry of Health, amidst ongoing disputes regarding governmental and stakeholder reforms.

The Cabinet Secretary also mentioned the challenges posed by certain parties in the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) plan. “We are aware of cartels sponsoring court cases to derail the Universal Health Care (UHC) plan, but the government is up to the task to ensure success of the program,” she added. These remarks were made after her meeting with Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in Busia, where she evaluated the progress of the UHC program.

Nakhumicha confirmed the distribution of health kits to CHPs, emphasizing the government’s focus on preventive rather than curative care. She assured that all CHPs had received their kits and necessary training, reaffirming the government’s dedication to the welfare of these community health workers.

A significant part of the health sector reform, as noted by the Cabinet Secretary, involves the transformation of NHIF into the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). She was firm in her stance against any opposition to these reforms, attributing resistance to parties benefitting from corruption within the Ministry of Health.

Nakhumicha raised concerns about fraudulent activities, citing instances where private hospitals, some of which are allegedly behind legal challenges to UHC, have made exorbitant claims for surgeries. These claims often surpass those of major government health facilities like Kenyatta and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospitals. She expressed shock over a small hospital that claimed over Sh1 billion for surgeries in one year, despite lacking the necessary equipment and staffing to justify such costs.

The Cabinet Secretary also addressed issues within the Busia county health department, calling for the return of smartphones designated for CHPs but reportedly missing. The department has faced prolonged challenges, including disputes between medical staff and county executives, adversely affecting healthcare services for local residents.

Murang’a, Kenya – Murang’a County is making significant strides in healthcare service delivery with the ongoing installation of computers and automation systems in all its public health facilities. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the efficiency and quality of medical services in the region.

According to Kenya News Agency, this week marked the beginning of the distribution of laptops and desktops across all 157 public health facilities in Murang’a County. This move follows the successful automation of the Murang’a County Referral Hospital, a Level-5 facility, which has reportedly improved service delivery efficiency.

Governor Irungu Kang’ata’s administration has emphasized the automation of health services to ensure that patients have access to quality care and to facilitate better management of resources in local hospitals. The automation is intended to streamline the tracking of drug dispersal, eliminate the need for manual monthly returns, and introduce a queue-less system for faster patient service.

With the new system, patients will no longer need to carry physical cards or records as their information will be digitally stored and easily retrievable. This modern approach is expected to significantly reduce the time patients spend waiting to be attended to at healthcare facilities.

Governor Kang’ata, in his New Year’s address, highlighted that the automation would lay the groundwork for future telemedicine services, allowing patients to consult with doctors remotely for various medical conditions.

Additionally, the governor pointed out that the automation has already shown promising results in revenue collection, especially in the Level-5 hospital, due to the more efficient service provision and levy collection processes.

While the installation of the new systems is underway, the county government has asked for patience from those currently seeking services at the health facilities, acknowledging that the installation process might temporarily lead to longer registration times and outpatient queues. The county government assures that normal service provision will resume promptly once the systems are fully operational.