Health ministry submits report to American government

Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu in Nairobi on April 24, 2017. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • On Friday, Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu said the missing report on the use of the funds was submitted in the hope that the United States will reverse its decision to suspend funding.

  • He said the withdrawal was because of the October 2016 health report but he denied it was due to loss of funds or corruption in the ministry.

The Health ministry has submitted a detailed report to the US government following its decision to cut back Sh2.1 billion in funding.

On Friday, Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu said the missing report on the use of the funds was submitted in the hope that the US will reverse its decision to suspend funding.

“In terms of fulfilling our mandate, on Monday we have a team coming from their side to sit with us to verify some of the steps we have taken. We hope after verification they will make a different pronouncement,” said Dr Mailu after closing the Kenya Medical Training College retreat in Mombasa.

Dr Mailu said the withdrawal was because of the October 2016 health report but he denied it was due to loss of funds or corruption in the ministry.

“It is about having faith in systems where their money is channelled. We can do what it takes to ensure that funds are used effectively without leakages,” he insisted.

In other news, the government will from May distribute the controversial mobile clinics stored at the National Youth Service camp in Miritini, Mombasa.

Dr Mailu said some of the counties which will benefit from the mobile clinics have been identified. He said they will be placed in informal settlements in urban areas.

“That includes slums which are in urban areas. Mombasa will get six, Makueni three, Nakuru and Nairobi counties 20,” he added.

The CS said counties are in the process of recruiting staff for the clinics. He urged counties to work with contractors and find sites where the 100 clinics will be placed to help in provision of healthcare services.

Dr Mailu’s remarks come after Nasa presidential candidate Raila Odinga, who was speaking in Israel, blamed the Jubilee administration for the decision by the US government to withdraw funding.

He cited the Sh5.3 billion scandal at the Health ministry last year.