Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga has called for greater efficiency and accountability in the use of health resources as Kenya seeks to strengthen domestic health financing amid changing global funding dynamics.
Oluga said health resources must be aligned with national priorities, avoid duplication and reach underserved communities and populations.
Addressing a Kenya Coordinating Mechanism meeting organised by the Global Fund at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi, the PS recognised the Fund’s critical contribution to Kenya’s response to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.
“Health resources must be aligned with national priorities, avoid duplication and reach underserved communities and populations,” Oluga said.
He called for greater efficiency, innovation and accountability in health financing, saying data should play a central role in guiding investments and policy decisions.
Oluga said Kenya must ensure that every available resource contributes to improved health outcomes for its citizens.
The PS also highlighted persistent gaps in the HIV response among children, calling for greater attention to the provision of quality services for women and newborns.
He said stronger community engagement was necessary to ensure health interventions respond to the changing needs of the population.
Oluga emphasised the need for Kenya to take greater ownership of financing and delivering health services while maintaining partnerships with development partners.
He welcomed the Global Fund’s continued support and called on the Kenya Coordinating Mechanism to adopt a forward-looking approach in strengthening collaboration among the government, development partners, communities and other stakeholders.
The PS said such collaboration would be critical in advancing Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda and sustaining essential health services.
Kenya has continued to work with international partners to support programmes targeting major public health challenges while pursuing reforms aimed at increasing domestic investment in healthcare.
Oluga said strategic use of external support should complement, rather than duplicate, national health priorities.
He further stressed the importance of directing resources towards communities that remain underserved to ensure that health investments have a broader impact.
The meeting provided an opportunity for government officials, development partners and other stakeholders to assess priorities in the health sector and strengthen coordination of programmes supported through the Global Fund.
Oluga said Kenya’s ability to sustain progress in healthcare would depend on stronger domestic ownership, effective use of resources, innovation and continued collaboration with partners.
He urged stakeholders to remain focused on interventions that improve health outcomes and advance access to quality healthcare as the country works towards Universal Health Coverage.
