Kibaki: Govt to prioritise health delivery

President Kibaki has reassured that the government will continue to give priority to the provision of affordable healthcare services to Kenyans as part of its efforts to achieve the targets of the Millennium Development Goals and Vision 2030.

The President particularly emphasised that the realisation of the country’s development goals largely depends on the good health of the citizens.

President Kibaki made the remarks Friday when he officially opened an ultra-modern Out-patient/In-patient Services Complex at the Kisii Level Five Hospital in Kisii town.

The Complex which comprises of a maternity unit, diagnostic facilities, three operating theatres, an integrated Outpatient wing and consulting rooms will serve a catchment population of more than one million people
from the neighbouring counties of Nyamira, Migori and beyond.

Apart from providing quality, accessible and affordable healthcare across the country, the Head of State called for a shifted of focus to preventive measures of disease so as to keep people healthy and free of disease.

“I challenge both the ministries of Medical Services and Public Health to give preventive measures the attention they deserve," said President Kibaki.

The President, at the same time, lauded the achievements realized in the country’s health sector so far with regard to reduction of child mortality, HIV and Aids prevalence and malaria control.

President Kibaki noted with delight that for the past 8 years Kisii and other malaria prone regions had not experienced severe malaria outbreaks that ravaged Kenyans and underscored the Government’s commitment to
consolidating these gains.

“I especially note the great progress we are making in the fight against malaria due to the distribution of sleeping nets. 

"Due to the interventions, we have not had a malaria epidemic in previously hard hit areas like Kisii, in the last 8 years.  We must continue consolidating on these gains,” noted the President.

Thanking the Government of Japan for supporting the Government’s effort to provide quality healthcare services to Kenya, the President noted that the construction and equipping of the new complex at the Kisii Level Five District Hopsital was a joint effort with the Japanese Government contributing Sh775 million while the Kenya Government contributed Sh45m.

President Kibaki also thanked the Japanese Government and other development partners for the technical, financial and material support extended towards the completion of other health projects in the country.

Said the President: “Indeed, Japan’s contribution towards the improvement of Kericho District Hospital at a cost of 196 million shillings is appreciated in equal measure.”

In this regard, President Kibaki expressed satisfaction that in the last few years, and with the assistance of development partners, the country had constructed and rehabilitated 80 hospitals throughout the country, while through the Constituency Development Fund over 1,000 clinics had also been constructed.

He termed the new Kisii health complex a commendable milestone towards realization of a cost-effective and sustainable integration of health services in the country.

The Head of State also pointed out that other measures of strengthening the country’s primary healthcare systems entailed raising the level of awareness of locals about various health issues such as use of clean water, immunisation, family planning, nutrition and general cleanliness so as to reduce the disease incidences.

“Many Kenyans suffer from preventable diseases such as malaria, HIV and Aids, cholera and tuberculosis.  The Government has put in place measures to respond to these health challenges,” observed the President.

The Head of State also appreciated modern challenges facing the health sector in our country especially the emergence of new disease patterns such as the upsurge in incidence of diabetes, cancer, hypertension and heart diseases which are exerting enormous strain on the healthcare system, due to a high demand for specialized care.

Speaking during the occasion, Japanese Ambassador Toshihisa Takata pledged continued Japanese development assistance especially in the heath sector.

Amb Takata said: “The greatest wealth is health. Establishment of a reliable health system is essential for the welfare and prosperity of the people. Japan considers the health and medical sector as a high priority area of economic cooperation.”

The Japanese Ambassador observed that since 1964 Japan has extended to Kenya assistant in a whole spectrum of economic and social development, totalling to approximately Sh300 billion.

In the health sector, Amb. Takata said Japanese assistance covers HIV and Aids control through NASCOP, various bilateral and trilateral technical assistance and many projects implemented by international organizations through Japanese funding.

He thanked Kenyans for their show of support and solidarity when Japan suffered from a devastating earthquake and tsunami.

On his part, Medical Services minister Prof Anyang’ Nyong'o said his ministry has embarked on refurbishing health facilities and scaled up training in order to cope with the increased need for quality healthcares services.

Other speakers included Education minister Prof Sam Ongeri, his Public Works counterpart Chris Obure and area MP Robert Monda.

Present were Internal Security minister Prof George Saitoti, Assistant ministers James Gesami and Richard Onyonka, several MPs form the region among others.