NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 5 – The Government plans to introduce trauma centres along major highways in the country to help counsel victims of tragedies.
Medical Services Minister Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o said on Thursday that the Nakumatt and the oil tanker fire tragedies occurred when discussions to establish the trauma centres to deal with major accidents were in high gear.
“These two tragedies underscore the need to establish the medical centres,” the Minister said.
Prof Nyong’o disclosed that other reforms in the health sector include the purchase of specialised air and water ambulances which enable doctors to offer quality emergency treatment, while ferrying patients to hospitals.
He also noted that the Universal Social Health Insurance Scheme could be effected by the end of this year so that as many Kenyans as possible can access quality health care services.
The Minister conceded that health care services were costly to a majority of Kenyans and noted that with the universal insurance scheme in place, it would be a relief to many, especially to low income earners.
The Minister, who returned to the country after a tour of the Western countries, where he led a Kenyan delegation to source for funds to improve medical facilities and services in the country.
During the visit, Kenya signed a memorandum with Cuba on research, training of medics and manufacturing of vaccines.
Mr Nyong’o further disclosed that Cuba had offered 13 scholarships to Kenyans to study specialised medical courses, which include among other things, anaesthesia.
He added that the Ministry plans to hire doctors from the United Kingdom to bridge the doctor/patient ratio.
“Doctors will be coming to work here in hospitals such as New Nyanza Provincial Hospital, Kiambu District Hospital, and Siaya among others,” he said.
The country will also purchase modern dialysis machines to equip district hospitals.
The minister’s one month itinerary included Germany, France, the UK, US, India and Cuba, where he attended the Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission for Economic, Scientific and Trade Collaboration.
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