“Eliminating the user fees for maternity and primary health care services in public health facilities is meant to address the 30 percent health expenditure which has been an impediment to accessing care, especially for the poor and other vulnerable citizens.

 

The remarks were made by the Cabinet Secretary of Health Dr. Cleopa Mailu on Friday during the round-table session of the universal health coverage at the ongoing TICAD VI at the KICC.

 

Dr Mailu disclosed that additionally health insurance subsidies are being provided for the disabled, elderly, orphans and the poor.

 

“These measures will be gradually increased by providing partial subsidies for those low income earners currently being piloted on,” said the CS.

 

He noted that Kenya has a working partner coordination structures through the development partners for health in Kenya.

 

In addition, a code of conduct for partners in the health sector is currently being revised to take into consideration the new devolved system of government for purposes of enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of developmental assistance at the national and sub-county levels.

 

Dr. Mailu revealed that due successful collective efforts to support reforms at KEMSA, all partners are now using the institution to procure and distribute public health commodities.

 

“It is believed that further strengthening of the above approaches will greatly enhance the effectiveness of donor support and positively contribute to the national universal health care goals,” he added.

 

Source : www.health.go.ke