Health CS Aden Duale speaking in, Balambala town, Garissa
county. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Health CS Aden Duale has cautioned public Level 2 and Level 3 health facilities against charging patients for services covered under the Primary Health Care Fund, reiterating that eligible Kenyans registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA) should access essential healthcare services free of charge.
Duale
emphasised that the government had put in place adequate funding mechanisms to
ensure patients seeking treatment at public dispensaries and health centres are
not required to make out-of-pocket payments for covered services.
He spoke
in Balambala town on Saturday during an inspection of the ongoing construction
of the Balambala SubCounty Hospital.
Once complete
, the facility, a 150-bed capacity hospital, currently 70 per cent complete, will be elevated to Level 5.
The CS
said the government's objective is to guarantee universal access to primary
healthcare and remove financial barriers that often prevent vulnerable Kenyans
from seeking medical attention.
“All
eligible patients registered under SHA should not be charged for services
covered under the Primary Health Care Fund,” Duale said.
He singled out expectant mothers, noting that the government was
determined to address the country's high maternal and infant mortality rates by
ensuring pregnant women receive quality care throughout pregnancy and delivery
without financial challenges.
Health CS Aden Duale assesses the progress of ongoing
construction of the Balambala Subcounty Hospital /STEPHEN ASTARIKO“The
government of President William Ruto has allocated enough resources for Level 2
and Level 3 maternity reimbursement services,” he said.
“Any
Kenyan who goes to a public health centre or dispensary for delivery,
whether normal delivery or Caesarean section, will receive the service free of
charge. It is part of the wider programme the government is implementing to
ensure we reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates in our country,” he
added.
Duale's
remarks come amid growing efforts by the Ministry of Health to strengthen
maternal and child healthcare services, particularly in counties that continue
to record high maternal and infant mortality rates.
Last week
while speaking in Bura town, the CS expressed concern over the situation in
some counties, especially those predominantly inhabited by pastoralist
communities, where access to healthcare services remains a challenge.
He said
the national government was working closely with county administrations to
improve healthcare outcomes and ensure expectant mothers receive quality care
before, during and after delivery.
“Maternity
wards should be places of hope and new beginnings, not places associated with
preventable tragedies. We are working with county governments to ensure mothers
and their babies receive the best possible care,” he said.
To further
strengthen specialized maternal and child healthcare services across the
country, Duale announced that the government had recruited highly qualified
gynecologists and pediatricians who will soon be deployed to various counties.
The
deployment, he said, is expected to enhance access to specialized healthcare
services and improve outcomes for mothers and children, particularly in
underserved regions.
Duale
urged residents who are yet to register under SHA to do so, calling on local
administrators to collaborate closely with Community Health Volunteers (CHVs)
to achieve full enrolment.
“We want
every eligible Kenyan registered under SHA so that no one is left behind when
seeking healthcare services. Local administrators and community health
volunteers must work together to ensure 100 per cent enrolment,” he said.
The CS
reiterated that under the Social Health Insurance framework, primary healthcare
services are financed through the Primary Health Care Fund and accessed through
contracted public Level 2 and Level 3 facilities, commonly known as
dispensaries and health centres.
Under the
arrangement, patients seeking essential outpatient services should be able to
access treatment without making payments at the point of care.
The
Ministry of Health has consistently maintained that patients should be able to
“walk in, receive treatment and walk out” without being charged for services
covered under the fund.
As part of
efforts to enhance accountability and public awareness, the ministry has also
introduced a Green Label Charter to be displayed prominently in health
facilities across the country.
The
charter bears the slogan “Walk In, Walk Out” and outlines healthcare services
that should be provided free of charge to eligible patients under the Primary
Health Care Fund.
Health
officials say the initiative is intended to help patients understand their
entitlements while ensuring health facilities comply with government policy on
free primary healthcare services.
The
government's renewed push comes as Kenya continues implementing health sector
reforms aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage and improving access to
affordable healthcare for all citizens.
Health CS Aden Duale assesses the progress of ongoing
construction of the Balambala Subcounty Hospital /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
