chris masila

𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐔𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 The Ministry of Health Cabinet Secretary Hon @HonAdenDuale today presided over the official unveiling of three landmark reports — the Quality of Care and Human Resources for Health Assessment Report, the Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) Report, and the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) Investment Case — pivotal documents advancing Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. Held under the theme “Unveiling Key Findings and Recommendations to Strengthen Healthcare Delivery and Quality of Care in Kenya,” the launch provided critical evidence to guide policy reforms, identify systemic gaps, inform strategic investments, and enhance health outcomes for all Kenyans. Speaking during the event, the CS reaffirmed that quality healthcare remains a fundamental right enshrined in Article 43 of the Constitution, which guarantees every Kenyan the highest attainable standard of health, including access to reproductive health services. The reports, developed through collaboration between the Government of Kenya, the private sector, faith-based organisations, and development partners, provide deep insights into service delivery readiness, workforce distribution, and investment priorities across the health system. One of the key findings highlighted a mismatch between technical and non-technical health workers, underscoring the need for counties to address staffing imbalances to achieve equitable service delivery. In line with the Kenya Kwanza Administration’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the CS reiterated the ministry commitment to ensuring that health systems remain people-centred, equitable, and responsive to the diverse needs of all communities. Concerned by the rising maternal mortality rates, the CS pledged to make maternal health a national priority, adopting a comprehensive, life-course approach to women’s health before, during, and after pregnancy. “Through ongoing digital health innovations, a maternity dashboard is being developed to provide real-time data and improve quality of care across the country,” said the CS. The three reports complement existing national frameworks, including the Kenya Health Sector Strategic Plan (KHSSP 2023–2027) and the Primary Healthcare Strategic Framework (2021–2030), reinforcing the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening quality of care as the cornerstone of a resilient health system. Hon. Duale expressed gratitude to partners including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Fund, UNFPA, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO) for their financial and technical support. The launch brought together senior government officials and partners, among them Principal Secretaries Dr. Ouma Oluga (Medical Services) and Ms. Mary Muthoni (Public Health and Professional Standards), Director-General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, KEMSA CEO Dr. Waqo Ejersa, Dr. Edward Serem (Head, RMNCAH), and representatives from UNICEF’s Luigi D’Aquino, World Bank’s Dr. Peter Okwero, Gates Foundation’s Dr. Wangari Ng’ang’a, WHO’s Dr. Adiele Onyenze, and Senator Mariam Omar (Mandera County), among others. The CS called on all stakeholders to strengthen partnerships in the spirit of SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals, embracing collaboration, innovation, and shared learning to uplift the quality of healthcare for every Kenyan.

𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧 Kenya is strengthening its health products and technologies (HPT) supply chain with a renewed focus on self-reliance, sustainability and efficiency. Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, set out three priorities during a high-level forum themed “A Shift Towards Self-Reliance and Sustainability in Health Products and Technologies Supply Chain in Response to the Evolving Funding Environment.” These include strengthening procurement, warehousing and last-mile delivery systems; reshaping KEMSA to enhance efficiency in distribution and logistics; and reducing the cost of health products through expansion of local pharmaceutical and medical technologies manufacturing. Dr Oluga said these reforms are crucial in addressing the rising demand for health services and the growing cost of medicines and logistics. “Building self-reliance in health supply chains is not only a strategic necessity but a moral obligation. We must invest in local capacity, innovation and partnerships to ensure every Kenyan has uninterrupted access to essential medicines and technologies,” he stressed. A key highlight of the meeting was the launch of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Health Products and Technologies, developed to streamline processes, strengthen accountability and improve efficiency across the supply chain. The launch was led by Dr Oluga, accompanied by John Karani, Chair of the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management, and Dr Tom Menge, Acting Head of the HPTs Directorate at the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health is also rolling out digital supply chain systems through the Digital Health Agency to improve forecasting, accountability and timely replenishment. Government is exploring public–private partnerships in warehousing and distribution while pursuing pooled procurement to secure stronger bargaining power and reduce costs. Expanding local manufacturing, Dr Oluga noted, remains central to reducing import dependency and stimulating economic growth. The forum brought together representatives from the Department of Health Products and Technologies (DHPT), the Council of Governors (CoG), and county governments from Isiolo, Trans Nzoia, Nakuru, Kakamega, Laikipia, Murang’a and Nairobi. Also present were the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and partners including CIPS/HPA, InSupply, World Bank, Africa Resource Centre, ThinkWell, PATH, Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network, MEDS, and KEMSA. Dr Oluga reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to placing Kenya’s health supply chain on a sustainable path, ensuring essential medicines and health products remain accessible to all citizens.