Fulfil health pledge, doctors tell President-elect Uhuru

Doctors have asked the incoming Jubilee government to keep its pre-election promise and allocate 15 per of the national budget to health.

Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists' Union (KMPDU) said the coalition presented a progressive health agenda to Kenyans, which is in line with the aspirations of the health workers.

"We call for the full implementation of the manifesto on health starting with the allocation of 15 per cent of the national budget to health," said secretary general Sultani Matendechero.

The budgetary allocation, if fulfilled, will secure Kenya’s place among the countries that have met the key provision of the Abuja Declaration to which it is a signatory.

“....and will go a long way into solving the now chronic problem that has become of our healthcare financing,” Dr Matendechero said.

The group also pointed to the need for government to address issues regarding healthcare infrastructure development in rural and marginalised areas saying it has been neglected, and the need to stem the exodus of professions to other countries.

“We would like the health of Kenyans to take its rightful position in all of the 47 counties,” the KMPDU boss stated.

The clarion call came six days ahead of the President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta’s swearing in ceremony; also included an appeal to have former secretary general Boniface Chitayi appointed Cabinet Secretary in charge of health matters.

“It is the season for appointments to various positions within government. We wish to call on the new leadership to stick to the position of selecting young professionals with requisite skills into positions of national leadership,” Dr Matendechero said.

Dr Chitayi served as The National Alliance Party’s secretary for health in the pre-electoral period and he contributed to the Jubilee Coalition’s health manifesto.

“Our union believes that for the best chance for the implementation of this manifesto and comprehensive health reforms begins with the coalition continuing their expression of confidence in Dr Chitayi by appointing him the Cabinet Secretary for Health,” the KMPDU official said as he endorsed him for the position.

The union also asked the incoming administration to reconsider decentralisation of healthcare services while acknowledging that the devolved governments would best understand its health needs.

"To a great extent they may be able to implement changes to the benefit of the people however at this stage, it requires significant capital investments and we cannot expect the county governments, which the little amount of money they will get from central government, to invest appropriately in healthcare," KMPDU chairman Victor Ng’ani said.

He described Kenya’s current health status as a “debilitating liability” which should not be readily handed over to the new county governments.

Nonetheless, Dr Ng’ani called on governors to prioritise health in the plans for their respective counties.