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Mailu says governors’ role critical in tackling health challenges

Health CS Cleopa Mailu challenged the Council of the County Executives for Health to lobby for more resources for the health sector and to use those resources more efficiently/MIKE KARIUKI

Health CS Cleopa Mailu challenged the Council of the County Executives for Health to lobby for more resources for the health sector and to use those resources more efficiently/MIKE KARIUKI

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 2 – “National initiatives and programs such as free maternity services, financing of primary health services and immunization have helped significantly reduce maternal and child mortality.”

Speaking during the launch of the 6th Health Sector Intergovernmental Consultative Forum on Wednesday, Health CS Cleopa Mailu challenged the Council of the County Executives for Health to lobby for more resources for the health sector and to use those resources more efficiently.

“We want the Council of Governors to be involved and informed in addressing the challenges affecting the health sector in their counties. We need to put our minds to it so that we get the best system and solutions to the problems which we continue to encounter,” the CS said.

“The Kenyan population doesn’t expect division in provision of health services but want to receive quality services which are acceptable.”

The Cabinet Secretary also outlined the government’s preparedness response to emerging health threats, like the Zika virus which include providing additional resources to surveillance and response mechanisms.

“The country is safe from Zika virus and we have put in place measures handle any case reported.”

Mailu also stated that they are working on implementing the universal health coverage to effectively reach the poor and the vulnerable through the Health Insurance Subsidy Programme.

The CS highlighted that despite there being recorded achievements in the health sector particularly in maternal health; there are still salient issues that need to be addressed.

“Among the progresses recorded by the ministry are in free maternal health care where the number of women delivering in health institutions has doubled 1.2 million reducing the cases of infant mortality. However the government is working on putting up a facility to provide neonatal care which is yet to improve.”

The Ministry of Health is also planning on opening up more Kenya Medical Training Colleges in all counties to address the lack of enough man power, a crisis most public hospitals are facing.

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“Medics are very important in the delivery of health services, and we are working towards providing adequate training as well as address their remuneration to stop the continuous Strikes that unfortunately lead to loss of lives.”

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