World over, healthcare programs are established with an aim of improving the quality of healthcare delivery and health outcomes amongst the target populations. Most of the programs are guided by the local, national and international parameters. They take into account various parameters including benefits and harms of the program, appropriateness and availability of drugs and diagnostic services, quantity and quality of healthcare professionals available and needed, patients’ demographics and capacity to purchase healthcare services. This help the policy makers make informed healthcare delivery decisions. Kenya, a rapidly developing middle-income African country with an evolving health care landscape is no an exemption.
The implementation of Kenya Health Policy Framework (KHPF) 1994−2010 in the country led to significant investment in public health programs and minimal investment in medical services, resulting to improvement of health indicators such as infectious diseases and child health. Jayesh Saini while discussing with other private healthcare providers noted that the programs have had a great impact on the delivery of healthcare services. In reference to this he added that each of the programs has its role to play and that unity of purpose amongst them is key to drive the sustainability of healthcare in the country.
With Kenya’s health policy 2014-2030 objectives (elimination of communicable condition, halting and reversing the rising burden of non-communicable conditions, provide essential healthcare and minimization of exposure to health risk factors) the public programs had a crucial role to play in achieving them and also driving towards UHC 2030 goals in the country.
Training of healthcare workers, application of evidence-based strategies, creating public awareness on health issues, offering training to citizens on personal health and nutrition, proper administration of immunization and vaccinations amongst others, are some of the roles the programs are actively playing in Kenya. This has led to the mitigation of deaths and curbing of the spread of health risk factors. Also, through partnerships amongst interrelated programs many health issues have been addressed. These partnerships also engage in discussions concerning best ideologies to adopt and strategies to reach out to more citizens in terms of healthcare, including those in the most remote areas and health risk factors prone regions.
It is opined that the government should more actively involve additional private players in health including non-profit organisations and independent research bodies to help elevate healthcare services to a whole new level. The concerted and multisectoral efforts will aid in better arrestment of healthcare related issues through amongst other factors, resources and available information sharing. This will lead to a more healthier nation and hence achieving the overall development agenda.
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