Understanding Universal Health Care, that is making headlines

Most People are just hearing this project Universal Health Care program that has made President Uhuru Kenyatta go to Kisumu to launch in a historic visit.

But the question most are asking themselves; “What is Universal Health Care?” What does it entail? How will Kenyans benefit from it? When will it be realistic?

Universal Health Care (UHC)

According to World Health Organisation, the Universal Health Care (UHC) means that all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship.

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What it entails

  •  Includes the full spectrum of essential, quality health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.
  • Protects people from the financial consequences of paying for health services out of their own pockets reduces the risk that people will be pushed into poverty because unexpected illness requires them to use up their life savings, sell assets, or borrow – destroying their futures and often those of their children.
  •  Enables everyone to access the services that address the most significant causes of disease and death, and ensures that the quality of those services is good enough to improve the health of the people who receive them.

Achieving UHC is one of the targets the nations of the world set when adopting the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015.

Countries that progress towards UHC will make progress towards the other health-related targets, and towards the other goals. Good health allows children to learn and adults to earn, helps people escape from poverty, and provides the basis for long-term economic development.

UHC is comprised of much more than just health; taking steps towards UHC means steps towards equity, development priorities, and social inclusion and cohesion.

In Kisumu for instance, the County will receive Sh800 million from the national government to finance a pilot project on universal health coverage.

These funds will be channeled to local health facilities, the Kenya Medical Supply Agency and the county government.

Kisumu County chief Officer of Health Dr Dickens Onyango says Sh460 million will be used to purchase pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical items to be supplied through Kemsa.

The health facilities, he adds, will get money directly from the team managing the project at the national government to finance operations and pay workers.

The last tranche will come to county government for the hiring of additional staff, training of primary healthcare workers and upgrading of facilities.

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