Five governors have signed an agreement that aims to accelerate efforts towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
According to a post on the Ministry of Health's Facebook page, the five-county bosses, four from the North Rift region, signed an Intergovernmental Participation Agreement (IPA) framework in Nairobi on Thursday.
The five governors include Stephen Sang (Nandi), Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Prof John Lonyangapuo (West Pokot), Mohamed Abdi (Wajir) and Stanley Kiptis (Baringo).
Speaking during the event, Mandago who is the interim chairman of the North Rift Economic Bloc said they will continue supporting the health sector
“We shall support the National Government through the Ministry of Health to ensure the public has access to affordable health care services at the grassroots level…. The IPA gives us quick appraisal to roll out UHC within two to three years," he said, as quoted in the Facebook post. by Ministry Health
The outgoing Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki said that the government budgeted Sh41.9 billion for UHC in the current financial year. The funds are meant to help in rolling out UHC across all the counties in Kenya.
“The IPAs will be signed on an annual basis and will, therefore, give the national and county governments a quick appraisal on UHC…However, as you all know, we cannot realize a good UHC without the availability of the requisite health personnel as well as equipment, medicines and other medical commodities,” Mrs Kariuki said.