The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Dr. Cleopa Mailu and the Principal Secretary, Dr. Nicholas Muraguri are expected to address the nation on the achievements of the ministry to deliver the health promise to Kenyans.

 

Since 2013 the Ministry of Health has been keen in delivering the Jubilee Government health promise to Kenyans in regard to increasing the number of physical facilities at community level and mobile health clinics services as well as guaranteeing every family access to fully equipped health centre’s with a national network of local community health workers promoting preventive health.

 

The key focus of the summit will be the KES 38 billion Managed Equipment Service project, an ambitious equipment programme the Government is undertaking to ensure that world class treatment is available even to those who cannot afford the services in 47 counties and four national referral hospitals and the free maternity Service program which has drastically reduced maternal mortality from 488 to 362 deaths per 100,000 live births, translating to 2000 maternal deaths averted.

 

To reduce the disease burden and eliminate geographic and financial barriers to accessing health services by Kenyans the National Government has consistently increased funding for the health sector to support innovative projects which are currently transforming lives across the 47 counties.

 

Through the Health Policy the Government has been committed to the principle of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by diversifying financing options that include progressive elimination of out of pocket expenditure especially for marginalized and indigent populations and providing essential basic health services to Kenyans.

 

The Constitution of Kenya guarantees the right to the highest attainment standard of health. Health is invariably an important contributor to the social pillar of the country’s development blue print, Vision 2030.

 

The Ministry of Health provides stewardship by creating an enabling policy environment for the attainment of the vision of ‘healthy, productive and competitive nation,’’ and the realization of the Kenya’s Universal health goal ‘’to attain equitable, affordable and accessible quality health care for all.’’

 

Kenya currently grapples with high burden of communicable diseases coupled with the rising burden of non-communicable diseases; the health sector has put in place strategic measures to mitigate these challenges by implementation the Kenya Health Policy 2014-2030 through its strategic national plans and innovative initiatives to fast track achievement of key millstones which the CS will highlight in the summit.

 

Senior Ministry of Health officials, head of parastatals,’ registrars of regulatory bodies and councils are under the ministry and key partners are expected to attend the summit.

Source : www.health.go.ke