Plans to return some hospitals to ministry
A view of Kisii Level Five hospital. A new Bill proposes to take away running and funding of Level Five and Six hospitals from counties. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Parliament’s Health Committee said in a report that there was no criteria for classification of national referral and county health centres.
- Funding of Level Five hospitals created differences between the National Assembly and the Senate on the Division of Revenue Bill.
Former provincial hospitals that had been handed over to the counties will revert to the national government if Parliament passes a new law.
Drafted by Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, the Health Bill, which was published on July 1 but has not yet been taken to the National Assembly, states: “The government shall manage and be responsible for any public health institution classified as a referral facility under this law.”
It classifies Level Five and Six hospitals as national referral centres.
Level Five hospitals are in Garissa, Machakos, Embu, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nyeri, Kisii, Meru, Thika and Kakamega.
TAKEN AWAY
The Constitution stipulates that the government is in charge of national referral hospitals but it does not say what qualifies one for this category.
The proposed law would, in effect, implement a resolution by the National Assembly that management of Level Five hospitals be taken away from county governments.
Parliament’s Health Committee said in a report that there was no criteria for classification of national referral and county health centres.
“In accordance with Article 187 of the Constitution, the national and county governments must urgently agree to transfer specific health functions to the national government, including, but not limited to Level Four and Five health facilities,” the committee recommended.
It also asked the national government and the Transition Authority to set up a task force “to coordinate a phased and structured devolution of health functions.”
Funding of Level Five hospitals created differences between the National Assembly and the Senate on the Division of Revenue Bill.
A mediation committee finally recommended that the national government give counties with Level Five hospitals an additional Sh1.87 billion to run them.
The Bill also seeks to classify Level Five hospitals as secondary facilities providing specialised services and training for nurses and clinical officers.
Level Six, also known as tertiary hospitals, will offer highly specialised services.
The Bill is, however, silent on a Health Services Commission that workers have been clamouring for.
