More Kenyans enlist for UHC despite setbacks

Kisumu Goveror Anyang' Nyong'o during the 2nd state of County address at Tom Mboya Labour college in Kisumu on November. 8th 2019. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

The number of patients attending public hospitals in Kisumu County since the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) was rolled out in September last year has increased.

Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o said so far, 843,863 people have been registered into the UHC cover from a targeted 1.2 million. "But certain challenges remain," the governor said.

Mr Nyong'o said UHC remains the only means through which quality and affordable healthcare can be realised. UHC is the responsibility of national government, which has increased investment of domestic resources in health.

County Director of Health Dickens Onyango said UHC coverage aims to ensure that everyone can access quality health services without suffering financial hardship. "UHC has removed barriers to health and improved affordability, accessibility and quality of health systems,'' said Dr Onyango.

Kisumu also received medicine worth Sh217,383,080 from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) in June this year. The county awaits receipt of community health worker kits worth Sh35 million and medical equipment worth Sh30 million to be delivered by Kemsa at the end of this year.