Ministry of Health officials during the 10th Scientific Conference of the Medical Engineering of Kenya (AMEK ) in Nyeri county, November 15, 2017. [Photo|MoH]The Ministry of Health is currently developing the Medical Device Management Policy for Kenya to guide the health sector in proper management of Medical devices and in general, health care services. Health Cabinet Secretary Dr Cleopa Mailu has said the objective of the policy is to improve access to affordable, effective, quality and safe medical devices and health technologies.Speaking during the 10th Scientific Conference of the Medical Engineering of Kenya (AMEK ) in Nyeri county, the CS said the ministry will fast track the Medical Engineering Bill 2015, which was presented to Parliament to put in place a legal and regulatory framework necessary for the implementation of reforms and innovations necessary in health care service delivery.Dr Mailu indicated that one of the successful intervention of Health Technology Management (HTM) in the health system is the Medical Equipment Services (MES) project which targeted 47 counties.The concept he said, involves medical device manufacturers installing high technology medical devices in the hospital with a responsible for maintenance and repair. "In this way, the ministry has been able to achieve up to 95 percent equipment uptime," said Dr Mailu in a speech read by the head of Medical Engineering Unit Engineer Martin Owino on Wednesday.The CS acknowledged there have been challenges in the integration of HTM in the ministry such as lack of capacity building in HTM, inadequate calibration centres and lack of appropriate tools and equipment.Mailu however assured that the ministry is collaborating with stakeholders to come up with appropriate solutions to address such challenges.

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