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By Shadrack Nyakoe
The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health considered the Budget Estimates for FY 2024/25 for both the State Department for Health and the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards today.
During the interaction with the two departments and various chief executives and parastatal heads, the committee evaluated health priorities based on Kenyans’ needs, assessed the country’s progress in meeting these expectations, and identified financing gaps requiring Parliament’s attention to enhance quality healthcare delivery.
“As a Committee, we remain committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to ensure the provision of quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare services to all Kenyans,” said Endebess MP (Dr.) Robert Pukose, chair of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health.
“We hope the ministry will continue implementing Universal Health Coverage under the Social Health Authority, focusing on Social Health Insurance for vulnerable persons, strategic health programs, health infrastructure development, and enhancing human resources for health,” he added
He emphasized Parliament’s ongoing support to achieve a healthy, productive population necessary for economic growth.
Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Harry Kimtai highlighted the historical underfunding of personnel budgets in SAGAs, particularly in referral hospitals.
The establishment of new specialized hospitals like Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH) necessitates increased funding to employ and retain health workers, ensuring optimal specialized health services and value for money in modern infrastructural developments.
“In many instances, the continued use of a large percentage of internally generated revenues (AIA) to pay salaries has affected the ability to provide quality services to patients,” said Dr. Kimtai.
For FY 2023/24, the State Department for Health has an approved budget of Ksh.106.1 billion, comprising Ksh.65.9 billion for recurrent expenses and Ksh.40.2 billion for development.
The State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards has been allocated Ksh.26.8 billion.
“We acknowledge the need to invest in curative health, but we believe investments in preventive health need to be increased. By reducing preventable diseases and empowering people to take control of their health, we can ensure a sustainable financing model for healthcare in this country,” remarked Ms. Muthoni.