Mount a campaign to seek medical services

In December 2018, the government announced the roll-out of universal health coverage in four pilot counties — Kisumu, Machakos, Nyeri and Isiolo.

Included in the programme was free maternity services in all public hospitals to improve maternal and child health.

The government has since increased funding to the health sector, which is one of the ‘Big Four Agenda’ championed by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Estimates in the Economic Survey 2020 show that financial allocations to the health sector doubled in the past two years and now comprise 7.1 per cent of the government expenditure, part of which is directed to expansion of health facilities and recruiting additional medical workers. That is a laudable development.

However, the good plans have been devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has visited unprecedented challenges on the world.

Kenya has recorded 1,618 infections, 58 deaths and 421 recoveries, ranking it among the worst-hit African countries.

Beyond the pandemic, the country is witnessing another worrying and grave trend: neglect of other deadly diseases.

Apparently, the campaign to contain the coronavirus has led to reduced spending on other diseases and health programmes, such as malaria, maternal and child health, HIV/Aids, diabetes, hypertension and cancer.

Programmes and campaigns for the other diseases are on hold or scaled down. This is dangerous.

EXPOSED TO RISK

The flip side, however, is that those suffering from the conditions have deliberately kept away from medical facilities.

For instance, many pregnant women have stopped seeking prenatal, birth and post-natal services. Hospital births have declined drastically, as has immunisation of children.

These have grave consequences. Women delivering at home, assisted by traditional birth attendants, are exposed to grave risks.

Lack of immunisation for children is equally catastrophic as it leaves them vulnerable to diseases.

The main reason for this unfolding scenario is the fear of coronavirus testing and the consequences of testing positive, which include stigma and forced quarantine.

Which is rather unfortunate. Avoiding hospitals due to Covid-19 is bound to precipitate worse health challenges. Many people could die or develop other complications simply for failing to seek medical services.

Coronavirus is with us and is not going away any time soon. Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe and his team should not lose sight of managing the other diseases.

While priority remains with Covid-19, interventions for other deadly ailments have to be activated and intensified in equal measure.

A starting point is to mount campaigns to get expectant women and those with children to seek medical services to avert other crises.