KK, Azimio senators close ranks on health bills

Both Kenya Kwanza and Azimio Senators have supported the Facilities Improvement Financing Bill, 2023 and the Primary Health Care Bill that the government banks on to ensure success of Universal Health Care (UHC).

The two are among the four pieces of legislation Parliament is considering to facilitate the rollout UHC.

The Facility Improvement Financing Bill, 2023 allows the management of public health facilities to retain all the money they raise or receive for improvement of services and facilities.

The Primary Health Care Bill, 2023, roots for the provision of health care at the community level – with the help of community health volunteers.

“This Bill seeks to establish a framework for the delivery of and access to and management of primary healthcare,” the Bill reads in part.

Others are The Social Health Insurance Bill, 2023 and The Digital Health Bill, 2023, which are currently being considered by the National Assembly before they are sent to the Senate for concurrence.

One pool

Yesterday, the Senators stated that the Bills were long overdue to realize UHC that the government has struggled to rollout since 2009.

“The conversation on UHC is one that as a country we have had for too long. As early as 2009, is when this conversation began. We have had trials and mistrials,” said Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho).

While debating the Bill at the Turkana County Assembly chambers, Cheruiyot stated the FIF Bill seeks to improve conditions of health facilities that are currently in a sorry state.

“Despite all the revenue it generates, do you know that all revenue goes into one pool just like all the monies that are collected in markets, permits and all these other streams?” Cheruiyot posed.