Let the project begin:3 million Kenyans benefit in universal health care Launch

3 million Kenyans in four counties are set to start enjoying universal health coverage after President Uhuru Kenyatta launches a pilot programme on December 1.

President Kenyatta said that the programme will be launched in Isiolo, Kisumu, Nyeri and Machakos counties and the launch will coincide with the World Aids Day, whose theme for this year is “Know Yourself”.

The pilot project is expected to last for one year before it i lunched all over the country. Patients will register and get free of charge treatment and referrals.

President Kenyatta formally made the decision on Tuesday after meeting the UHC Inter-Governmental Committee that also comprises governors at State House, Nairobi.

Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki, who co-chairs the committee with Isiolo Governor Mohammed Kuti, briefed the President on the preparations ahead of the pilot launch.

Ms Kariuki said the pilot programme will cost the government around Sh3.17 billion.

The national government will allocate Sh800 million for each of the participating counties, with an additional 800 million for referral cases.

Governors will also contribute a similar amount towards the programme.

The success of the pilot programme in the four counties will clear the way for the national rollout, which will mark the beginning of a new era in public health service provision.

President Kenyatta gave the committee his approval to finalise the launch plans and also draft the respective MU between the Ministry of Health and the four counties.

The Head of State encouraged the governors to actively sensitize their people before the pilot project is launched.

The new UHC package will benefit at least 3.2 million Kenyans  and is expected to contain a new bouquet of services accessible in public health facilities.

According to the government, the decision to pilot the programme in the four counties was based on existing evidence on their disease burdens.

Kisumu was singled out because it leads in the infectious diseases category, especially for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, while Machakos records the highest number of injuries mostly from accidents occurring along the busy Mombasa-Nairobi highway.

Nyeri was selected because it leads in non-communicable diseases, especially diabetes, while in Isiolo, the government will seek to establish how the package is well suited for nomadic and migratory populations.

this project will help build and improve our countries heath care system and help to scale up preventive measures and reduce the prevalence of non-communicable or lifestyle diseases.

 

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