𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚’𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞: 𝐀 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦.

Kenya is on the move! The country is taking a bold step towards preventive and promotive healthcare, with a strong focus on Primary Health Care (PHC) as the cornerstone for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Dr. Joseph Lenai, the Ag. Director of Primary Health Care at the Ministry of Health, didn’t hold back when he emphasized the crucial role of PHC in providing accessible, people-centered health services at the community level during a recent Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) meeting on PHC.

In order to solidify this shift towards a healthier future, the Kenyan government enacted four pivotal health laws in 2023. The Primary Health Care Act paved the way for Primary Care Networks to bolster service delivery across all levels. The Digital Health Act brought in a new era of data-driven decision-making and interoperability of health records. The Facility Improvement Financing Act empowered public health facilities to reinvest revenue for further development, while the Social Health Insurance Act expanded healthcare access through the Social Health Authority.

Dr. Lenai didn’t stop there. He highlighted the importance of sustainable financing, urging for domestic resource mobilization, partnerships with the private sector, and innovative funding models, especially with the changing priorities of USAID and USG funding. He stressed the need for increased investment in disease prevention, strengthening Primary Care Networks, equipping Community Health Promoters, utilizing digital health solutions, and ensuring the full implementation of the Social Health Authority.

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Kenya is truly setting the stage for a healthier nation, with a strong emphasis on proactive healthcare measures and a commitment to providing quality health services for all. It’s an exciting time for healthcare in Kenya, and the future looks brighter than ever before. Let’s continue to support and champion these efforts towards a healthier, more vibrant Kenya for all its citizens.