MACHAKOS – The Kenyan government has announced a comprehensive initiative to assess and enhance the quality of health care services provided nationwide. Public Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni, speaking during a stakeholder meeting at a Machakos hotel, outlined the plan to deploy research assistants for a detailed evaluation of health facilities across the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, the assessment will target 3,603 health facilities with the objective of gauging service quality, identifying existing barriers, and evaluating health workers’ readiness and adherence to established standards. The initiative is driven by a commitment to address critical health issues, including high child mortality rates, and to ascertain the root causes of persisting challenges in health care delivery.
Muthoni highlighted that despite an increase in hospital births, maternal mortality remains a concern, prompting the government to investigate potential factors such as medication quality, professional expertise, and the adequacy of medical equipment. The national assessment is expected to inform future planning and could lead to specialized training for health care professionals.
The government has secured partnerships with development agencies and organizations, including the United Nations Fund for Population Activity (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Council of Governors, to support quality improvement efforts in the 47 counties. Muthoni emphasized the role of community health promoters in strengthening the referral system and the importance of encouraging traditional birth attendants to direct expectant mothers to hospital services.
Significant progress has been noted in the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey of 2022, with skilled birth attendance increasing from 66% in 2014 to 89% in 2022, and 98% of women receiving antenatal care from skilled providers. Additionally, 66% of mothers completed at least four hospital visits before childbirth, and vaccination rates for children under 2 years reached 80%, indicating a positive shift towards preventive health care and the prioritization of primary health services.