Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga has called for stronger collaboration between the education and health sectors to support ongoing government health reforms and improve healthcare outcomes.
Oluga said institutions of learning have an important role to play in strengthening Kenya’s health system through research, innovation, skills development and community engagement.
Speaking at Maseno University during an engagement with union leaders, vice-chancellors, professors, institutional heads and university council members from the Lake and Rift Valley regions, Oluga outlined the health reform agenda being implemented by the Ministry of Health.
He urged universities and other institutions of learning to use research and innovation to develop solutions to challenges facing the health sector.
Oluga said stronger links between education, research and healthcare would help the country harness professional expertise and community networks to advance Universal Health Coverage.
He also called on institutions to mobilise parents, students, teachers and other staff to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) and ensure they maintain their premium contributions.
The PS said wider registration and continued contributions to SHA were important in supporting the government’s efforts to improve access to healthcare.
Oluga further urged the education sector to support the Every Woman, Every Newborn, Everywhere (EWENE) campaigns, which seek to contribute to reducing maternal and newborn deaths.
He said universities and other learning institutions could play a significant role in creating awareness and supporting interventions aimed at improving maternal and newborn health.
The PS also challenged the education sector to align training and skills development with emerging needs in the health sector and government priorities.
He said collaboration between universities, health institutions and government agencies would help ensure that professionals are equipped with skills needed to respond to changing healthcare demands.
“Stronger links between education, research and health would help harness professional expertise and community networks to advance Universal Health Coverage and improve access to quality healthcare,” Oluga said.
The engagement brought together education sector leaders and representatives from institutions across the Lake and Rift Valley regions as the government seeks to strengthen partnerships in implementing its health reforms.
Oluga said research institutions have a critical role in generating evidence and innovations that can help address gaps in healthcare delivery.
He also emphasised the importance of community networks in supporting government health programmes, particularly initiatives targeting access to care and improved health outcomes.
Oluga was accompanied by Principal Secretaries CPA Carren Ageng’o of Children Services, Aurelia Rono of Parliamentary Services and Cyrell Odede of Public Investments and Asset Management.
The meeting provided an opportunity for government officials and education sector leaders to discuss areas where institutions of learning can contribute to the implementation of health reforms and efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
