Eng. Martin Owino and Ministry of Health officials.[Photo/David Otini}
The ministry of health is currently developing the medical devices management policy for Kenya to guide the health sector in proper management of medical devices and in general health care and services.
Cabinet Secretary Dr. Cleopa Mailu says the objective of the policy is to improve access to affordable, effective, quality and safe medical devices and health technologies.
The CS was speaking during the 10th scientific conference of the medical engineering of Kenya(AMEK) in Nyeri County yesterday.
He insisted that the ministry was fast to track the Medical Engineering Bill of 2015 which was presented to parliament to put in place a legal and regulatory framework necessary for implementation of reforms and innovations necessary in healthcare service delivery.
Dr.Mailu also revealed that 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 involved medical devices manufacturers installing high technology medical devices in the hospitals responsible for maintenance and repair.
“In this way the ministry has been able to achieve up to 95% equipment up time,” added Dr. Mailu.
The CS acknowledged that there have been challenges in the integration of HTM in the ministry such as lack of capacity building and inadequate calibration centers. However he promised that the ministry was collaborating with stakeholders to come up with solutions to address them.