The Mombasa Task Force on Healthcare System that was mandated to review the health department has resolved to enhance health services at community level.

The task force was formed last September by Governor Abulswamad Nassir. It presented its findings on the county health department and how it can be revamped to strengthen the community healthcare system in order to boost service delivery.

Addressing the media at the county government offices, the team — chaired by Dr Chibanzi Mwachonda — proposed several reforms in the health department.

Mwachonda said the docket ought to have a policy that will put community health workers on retainer to enhance service delivery.

NHIF registration

The team further suggested that following engagements with stakeholders, more people should be registered with the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to ease access to health services.

In addition, the task force noted that the county should have specialised treatment at satellite health facilities. These include Tudor Hospital, to offer maternity and children services; and Mvita Sub-County  Hospital for specialised eye treatment; besides digitisation of information systems to reduce congestion, among others.

Governor Nassir said his administration is committed to ensure dispensation of enhanced services by implementing the reforms submitted by the committee.

He said his government would use legislative means to have companies awarded tenders to lease specialised equipment to health facilities to make them be at par with the digital world.

During his political campaigns last year, the governor pledged to resolve health issues in Mombasa and prioritise the working environment of practitioners.

“The healthcare task force will provide a long-term strategic plan, suggesting ways of improving health coverage and finding the loopholes that ail the county’s healthcare system,” said Nassir.

The governor said his regime would make sure that health finances are well utilised and the human resource available is able to use modern technology to reduce congestion at certain hospitals in Mombasa.

“We are looking at how we can optimise usage of all medical facilities in the county for people to get better services. We will come up with a way where minor ailments like headache have specified hospitals to be tackled at. In case of failure to treat certain illness, referrals will be made,” he said.

The task force consists of representatives of Kenya Medical Association, Mombasa Civil Societies Organisations, the National Health Insurance Fund and six community health volunteers representing sub-counties.

Other members from the county government include chief officer from Public Medical Services and Public Health, and county secretary.