Nairobi, Kenya – The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has urged the Kenyan government to significantly enhance its budgetary allocation for the health sector. This recommendation comes in light of the serious concerns raised about the declining quality of healthcare services, especially in public hospitals throughout the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, the healthcare services are deteriorating due to issues such as poor infrastructure, lack of essential medicines, and insufficient healthcare personnel. Odede emphasized that patients in public hospitals are receiving sub-standard care due to these inadequacies, which is a major concern for the commission.
The KNCHR also highlighted the chronic shortage of healthcare providers in Kenyan health facilities. As of November 2021, the doctor-to-patient ratio in Kenya stood at one to 3,797, far below the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of one to 600. This shortfall is also evident in the nurse-to-patient ratios, which fall short of WHO standards.
While acknowledging the increase in live births attended by skilled providers from 41 percent in 2003 to 89 percent in 2022, the commission pointed out persistent regional disparities. Counties like Turkana, Mandera, Wajir, Samburu, and Tana River recorded the lowest rates. The commission also expressed concerns about the disparities in post-natal care for women in the first two days after live births, particularly in counties like Wajir, Marsabit, Meru, Garissa, and Mandera.
Additionally, the KNCHR called for the protection of women and girls from obstetric violence and criticized the low public participation in developing regulations under the new Social Health Insurance Act of 2023. The commission stressed the need for increased public awareness about the provisions and implications of the new health laws. Odede raised concerns about the change in premium contributions from monthly to annual under the Act, which could impose a significant financial burden on Kenyans, potentially discouraging new membership and limiting access to care for needy households.