PS Oluga: Weak systems stall fight on preventable deaths

Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga speaking on Thursday during the Quarterly Consultative and Review Forum for County Chief Officers for Health at Sawela Lodge/HANDOUT

Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga has urged county governments to prioritise practical, system-based solutions in the health sector, warning that continued focus on financial constraints is slowing progress in reducing preventable deaths.

He said persistent gaps in decision-making, accountability and response are undermining service delivery across the country.

“Kenya’s health sector requires decisive, evidence-based action to address persistent challenges,” Oluga said.

He spoke during the Quarterly Consultative and Review Forum for county chief officers for health In Naivasha.

The PS told health officials from all 47 counties that while surveillance and reporting systems have improved, the sector has struggled to translate data into action.

“The response remains the missing link across financing, workforce management, medical commodities and digital health systems,” Oluga said.

He said counties must strengthen how they identify and prioritise problems, particularly in reproductive, maternal and newborn health, to ensure better use of resources.

Oluga pointed to clinical documentation as a simple but effective intervention that could significantly improve the quality of care.

“Improving documentation is a low-cost intervention with high impact on service delivery,” he said.

The PS also raised concerns over inequitable access to specialised services, noting that most are concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural populations underserved.

“This limits access and contributes to avoidable deaths. We must ensure equitable distribution of services and optimal use of existing infrastructure,” Oluga said.

He further cited inefficiencies in hospital development, including underutilised facilities, and called on counties to rethink investment strategies.

Oluga urged devolved units to explore alternative financing models while prioritising spending on essential areas such as medical equipment, maintenance and workforce deployment.

The PS warned that the country continues to face challenges in reproductive, maternal and newborn health, alongside a growing burden of non-communicable diseases.

He attributed the situation to systemic gaps in quality of care and declining donor support.

To address this, Oluga announced the rollout of the Maternal and Newborn Health Rapid Results Initiative (MNH RRI), set to begin in May 2026 under the Kenya EWENE Acceleration Plan.

The six-month initiative will focus on strengthening governance, financing, service delivery and accountability to reduce preventable deaths.

He said the government is also digitising the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response system to support real-time reporting and faster interventions.

The forum, hosted by the Council of Governors and chaired by County Chief Officers Caucus chair Kevin Osuri, brought together senior Ministry of Health officials and partners to review progress and align priorities in the sector.

Oluga said stronger coordination between national and county governments will be key in addressing the systemic weaknesses affecting healthcare delivery.