The US-funded AMPATH Uzima health programme has handed over
part of its staff and assets to the Uasin Gishu county government ahead of its
planned closure in six months.
The transition follows the suspension of US funding for the
programme, which primarily supported HIV/AIDS services, after a funding freeze
ordered by US President Donald Trump.
Kenya and the United States later signed a
Government-to-Government (G-to-G) agreement to facilitate the transition of the
affected programmes.
AMPATH Uzima Chief of Party Prof Sylvester Kimaiyo led the
handover, which included staff and medical equipment.
Uasin Gishu has become the first county to implement the
transition, with 107 staff absorbed under the G-to-G arrangement.
AMPATH, headquartered at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital
in Eldoret, also operates in several other counties where similar handovers are
expected.
Kimaiyo said the transition involves 152 personnel,
including programme managers, clinical officers, nurses, counsellors, records
officers, social workers and other support staff.
He added that under the agreement, the US government will
completely withdraw funding by 2028.
Before then, the US will contribute Sh207 billion, while the
Kenyan government will provide Sh103 billion to sustain the affected
programmes.
He said the programme's web-based medical records system
will remain in place, enabling patients to access treatment at different health
facilities.
Administrative staff, however, are not part of the
transition arrangement and will have to seek alternative employment.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii presided over the handover
of assets valued at Sh61 million and assured residents that the county would
protect the investment and sustain quality healthcare services.
"As we formally receive these assets, I assure our
partners and the people of Uasin Gishu that they are being entrusted to an
administration that has consistently prioritised investment in the health
sector," Bii said.
Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea described the handover as a
reflection of the long-standing partnership that has strengthened healthcare
delivery in the county.
Health executive Janet Kurgat praised AMPATH Uzima for its collaboration, highlighting the contribution of the OpenMRS digital records system in improving healthcare services.
She also noted that Uasin Gishu is ranked 14th nationally in Social Health Authority (SHA) registration.
Kimaiyo said the handover should mark the beginning of a new phase of collaboration between AMPATH Uzima and the county government.
The assets transferred include a digital mini X-ray machine, a 3-in-1 printer, 29 desktop computers, masks, hand sanitisers and personal protective equipment, which will be distributed to health facilities across the county.
