Nairobi: Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni has announced Kenya's commitment to enhancing primary healthcare services as part of the government's 2026-2027 priorities. The initiative aims to improve essential services and expand digital health capabilities in the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, Muthoni highlighted the importance of addressing critical gaps in financing, infrastructure, and medicine availability to achieve universal health coverage targets. The announcement was made during a sector presentation by the National Treasury on the proposed Financial Year 2026/27 and the Medium-Term Budget.
Muthoni emphasized the role of the primary healthcare network in linking households to local health facilities, which is crucial for the Social Health Insurance ecosystem. Although the country plans to establish 315 primary care networks, only 228 have been completed. The PS also praised the work of 107,831 community health promoters who have reached 7.8 million households with basic health services.
The government has made strides in disease prevention, with Penta-3 vaccination coverage and vitamin A supplementation both above 83 percent. HIV prevalence has decreased, and ART coverage has reached 87 percent. In the fight against malaria, 16.5 million ACT doses and 4.7 million mosquito nets have been distributed.
Muthoni also addressed the challenge of antimicrobial resistance, noting the expansion of testing capacity from 17 to 28 laboratories. She underscored the importance of curbing self-medication and antibiotic misuse.
Despite these advancements, challenges persist. Only 18 percent of health facilities have digital systems, and medicine availability is lower than national expectations. Blood supply also remains below WHO recommendations. Digitalising health records is seen as a solution to improve service delivery and reduce redundant tests.
The government has outlined five priorities for the 2026/2027 framework, focusing on prevention, financial protection, digital health, quality standards, and specialized services. Muthoni called for stronger community engagement to combat preventable diseases and stressed the necessity of funding the Primary Health Care Fund and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.
Reforms are underway in quality and regulation, with a new bill in Parliament proposing an agency to oversee standards and investigate counterfeit medicines. Muthoni emphasized the need for infrastructure, trained personnel, and safe medicines.
Counties are encouraged to invest in continuous training for healthcare workers, while the national government manages policy and specialized training. Retention strategies and structured career progression are deemed essential to prevent brain drain.
High-impact services are being accelerated, with new initiatives like the Kidney Institute enhancing specialized care. The Ministry aims to increase essential medicine availability and expand digital health coverage in public facilities.
Collaboration among development partners, county governments, healthcare workers, and citizens is crucial for strengthening the health system. Dr. Joab Odhiambo of KIPPRA raised concerns about financing gaps, particularly in the Primary Health Care Fund and ECCIF, urging for better data and health-financing models.
Muthoni reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to transparency and collaborative planning to move Kenya toward universal health coverage, acknowledging the financial constraints and the need for progressive realization of health rights.