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By CHIBANZI MWACHONDA
According to the author
The concept of universal health coverage aims to ensure that all people obtain the health services they need without suffering financial hardship when They pay for them
. the key pillars are: A strong, effective and well-managed health system; a system of financing health services; access to essential medicines and technologies and sufficient capacity of well-trained and motivated health workers.
In the context of the health sector in Kenya, an objective audit of the state of the sector and the effectiveness of the system is paramount.
The devolution of health services, as it is described in the fourth annex of the Constitution, means that it is a function shared between the national government and the county governments.
More collaborative efforts between the two levels of government will be needed to reach the CSU.
The two tertiary institutions in the public health sector; The Kenyatta National Hospital and the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital will provide tertiary care to a substantial majority of the more than 40 million Kenyans.
Eleven Level V institutions namely Thika, Nyeri, Nakuru, Embu, Kisii, Meru, Machakos and Garissa The Coastal, Kakamega and Jaramogi hospitals currently report to the respective counties.
The transition to Level VI and reclbadification to regional teaching and referral institutions to provide tertiary and highly specialized care to Kenyans is essential.
This would alleviate the burden on both teaching and referral institutions, more health personnel will be trained to provide tertiary care in the regional blocks and counties will benefit from service delivery by those who follow a training. Emergency medical service system, it is necessary for the establishment of a national system of emergency medical services run by the State under Article 43 (2) of the constitution.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
It should allow emergency evacuation by ambulance by road and by air for citizens in need of medical services. emergency through the intermediary of a medical emergency line (EMS). Paramedics and emergency physicians will be needed as service providers.
Primary health care is another area of key interest, building capacity to deliver quality primary health care.
This will involve training and employing community health workers and undertaking a well-coordinated and active awareness campaign in rural communities to improve coverage and safety. prevention of common diseases as a major strategy.
Kenya is a signatory of the 2001 Abuja Declaration where African Union Heads of State committed to allocate at least 15% of their annual budgets to improve the sector. of health.
The budget allocation for the period 2001-2018 has always been less than 8%, a large deviation from the target of 15%.
The budget allocation for health needs to increase to reach the goal of 15%, which can be achieved through various strategies, including the creation of a universal fund financed by revenue from government and other funds an elaborate health financing strategy over the next five years describing additional budget allocations.
Looting and embezzlement, as has been the norm in the sector, must stop for significant progress to be made. Key beneficiaries of a health care system, a large majority of Kenyans now depend on personal expenses for drugs and additional treatment costs. Most of them are unemployed or in the informal sector and therefore do not have access to health insurance.
The National Hospitalization Insurance Fund (NHIF) is expected to extend coverage to all citizens regardless of their socioeconomic status.
The opportunities offered by the NHIF are enormous in the context of social health and insurance. Indeed, Kenya has much to learn from the National Health Service in the UK, a well-run service that provides health care to all UK citizens based on their needs rather than their ability to pay for it.
because of an acute shortage of health workers; The country has 31,412 health workers against 138,266 required in all settings.
This has an overall negative impact on the performance of the sector.
Meanwhile, unemployment in the sector has exploded, job opportunities for doctors, clinicians, nurses and other health care professionals have dropped significantly over the past five years.
The government's decision to hire 100 Cuban doctors while putting out the 2,000 locally trained doctors available for employment will prove counterproductive unless corrective measures are taken. be taken. The ultimate solution to meet the challenges of health staff is the creation of a health services commission; he will be in charge of the management of the health personnel.
The commission should focus on a plan of investment and periodic recruitment of health personnel, for example every 5 years.
Inclusive participation of all actors in the sector is mandatory. The state must recognize health worker organizations and unions as key players in the sector by creating a harmonious work environment.
The focus should be on conflict resolution through tripartite dialogue mechanisms. the greatest solution is political goodwill and investment in the public health system to make it responsive to the needs of the population. Health care should be considered as contributing to the economy rather than as a cost
Dr. Chibanzi Mwachonda is Deputy Secretary-General Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union [email protected]
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