KHF team attending the workshop
The Health Act 2017 (the ‘Act’) aims to create a unified health system that aligns with the Constitution, by spearheading regulatory changes and coordinating the interrelationship between the national and county government.
MOH/IFC Workshop
The KHF team represented the private sector at a two-day workshop on the implementation of the Health Act 2017 held in Naivasha on 1-2 February 2018. This brought together a diverse and inclusive group of participants to contribute towards work plans for the operationalization of the Act. Participants included stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, the Public Service Commission, and the private sector as well as County representatives, regulators, and development partners. The objective was to foster a greater understanding of the Act, encourage dialogue and collaboration and finally, create implementation work-plans on key areas of the Act.
Opening Remarks and Keynote Address
Njeri Mwaura, Senior Health Specialist, IFC/World Bank Group, highlighted that the Act represented a historic moment for Kenya since it tries to bring together all the stakeholders in the health sector and recognized the importance of health for the economy.
Prof. Khama Rogo, Lead Health Specialist, IFC/World Bank Group reminded the attendees that the health sector had been relying on the Public Health Act, which was put together in the 19th century. The professor highlighted that for transformation of the health system to be brought about there was a need for a change in mindsets that accommodated:
• Collaboration between the public and private sector but also collaboration within the public sector itself;
• Recognition of the devolution of health and that ‘our vision of this constitution is that each sector will work only if the center shrinks and the counties expands’
He commended the Act for recognizing the ‘3 Ms’ of health (money, man power and management) that have been problematic and said the Act had the potential to deal with the lack of accountability and lack of efficiency within the sector.
The incoming and outgoing Principal Secretaries, Mr. Peter Tum and Mr. Julius Korir respectively, encouraged the stakeholders present to work effectively towards implementation of the Act. It was recognized that the Act was not perfect but provided a springboard to jump-start the process of transformation.
Overview of the Act
The Head of the Department of Standards, Quality Assurance and Regulation, Dr Annah Wamae OGW described the Act as a ‘mother act’ since it aims to build on and update regulations of the Kenyan health system. She recognized some of the following areas as being particularly significant:
• The right to reproductive health and emergency treatment in line with the Constitution of Kenya 2010;
• Creation of a health information system which will require all healthcare providers to report on national indicators;
• The role of the private sector in achieving universal healthcare through public private partnerships;
• Recognition of E-Health as a mode of service and the need to catch up with the private sector in this regard; and
• The development of health financing that ensures appropriate funding for healthcare.
Dr Wamae explained that a steering committee at national level has been established as well as 9 Technical Working Groups (‘TWGs’) as listed below:
1. MOH Organizational Structure and Duties of National Government;
2. Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority ad Traditional Alternative Medicine
3. Kenya Blood Transfusion Service and Organ Transplantation
4. Legislation and Regulations
5. Kenya Food and Drug Authority
6. Promotion and Advancement of Public Health/Lactation Stations
7. Research and E-Health
8. Health Financing
9. Human Resources for Health Advisory Council
The steering committee and TWGs shall start working on a prioritized work plan, oversee implementation and create quarterly progress reports.
KHF team attending the workshop
The Health Act 2017 (the ‘Act’) aims to create a unified health system that aligns with the Constitution, by spearheading regulatory changes and coordinating the interrelationship between the national and county government.
MOH/IFC Workshop
The KHF team represented the private sector at a two-day workshop on the implementation of the Health Act 2017 held in Naivasha on 1-2 February 2018. This brought together a diverse and inclusive group of participants to contribute towards work plans for the operationalization of the Act. Participants included stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, the Public Service Commission, and the private sector as well as County representatives, regulators, and development partners. The objective was to foster a greater understanding of the Act, encourage dialogue and collaboration and finally, create implementation work-plans on key areas of the Act.
Opening Remarks and Keynote Address
Njeri Mwaura, Senior Health Specialist, IFC/World Bank Group, highlighted that the Act represented a historic moment for Kenya since it tries to bring together all the stakeholders in the health sector and recognized the importance of health for the economy.
Prof. Khama Rogo, Lead Health Specialist, IFC/World Bank Group reminded the attendees that the health sector had been relying on the Public Health Act, which was put together in the 19th century. The professor highlighted that for transformation of the health system to be brought about there was a need for a change in mindsets that accommodated:
• Collaboration between the public and private sector but also collaboration within the public sector itself;
• Recognition of the devolution of health and that ‘our vision of this constitution is that each sector will work only if the center shrinks and the counties expands’
He commended the Act for recognizing the ‘3 Ms’ of health (money, man power and management) that have been problematic and said the Act had the potential to deal with the lack of accountability and lack of efficiency within the sector.
The incoming and outgoing Principal Secretaries, Mr. Peter Tum and Mr. Julius Korir respectively, encouraged the stakeholders present to work effectively towards implementation of the Act. It was recognized that the Act was not perfect but provided a springboard to jump-start the process of transformation.
Overview of the Act
The Head of the Department of Standards, Quality Assurance and Regulation, Dr Annah Wamae OGW described the Act as a ‘mother act’ since it aims to build on and update regulations of the Kenyan health system. She recognized some of the following areas as being particularly significant:
• The right to reproductive health and emergency treatment in line with the Constitution of Kenya 2010;
• Creation of a health information system which will require all healthcare providers to report on national indicators;
• The role of the private sector in achieving universal healthcare through public private partnerships;
• Recognition of E-Health as a mode of service and the need to catch up with the private sector in this regard; and
• The development of health financing that ensures appropriate funding for healthcare.
Dr Wamae explained that a steering committee at national level has been established as well as 9 Technical Working Groups (‘TWGs’) as listed below:
1. MOH Organizational Structure and Duties of National Government;
2. Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority ad Traditional Alternative Medicine
3. Kenya Blood Transfusion Service and Organ Transplantation
4. Legislation and Regulations
5. Kenya Food and Drug Authority
6. Promotion and Advancement of Public Health/Lactation Stations
7. Research and E-Health
8. Health Financing
9. Human Resources for Health Advisory Council
The steering committee and TWGs shall start working on a prioritized work plan, oversee implementation and create quarterly progress reports.
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