Ruto must move fast to solve health crisis
President William Ruto and his Health docket appointee, Susan Nakhumicha should live their words in delivering Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda of ensuring that all individuals and communities receive essential health services without suffering financial hardships.
“We want a healthcare system that is people friendly,” Ruto said during the October 2023, Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kericho when he unveiled the Universal Health Coverage Plan.
The following month, the Health CS echoed his words: “Successful implementation of the UHC depends on availability of adequate and highly skilled health professionals.”
And to achieve UHC, there is no shortcut other than using healthcare professionals who are best equipped to make this goal a reality.
The question is, six months down the line, why are Ruto and Nakhumicha contradicting themselves? Another question is, why have the two substituted those promises with chest-thumping, intimidation and threats to the very team they said the country will depend on to delivery UHC?
While the country is treated to malarkey by the two, Kenyans continue do die in hospitals.
The fact is the ping-pong game with the medics fighting for their rights exposes an irredeemably incompetent administration. The way Nakhumicha has handled the doctors strike clearly shows that she is in the wrong docket.
Why could, for instance, the CS threaten to sack the striking doctors when she recently admitted that the standoff will be solved amicably?
Why would President Ruto let Inspector General of Police issue threats to the medics who are only demanding their rights, when his officers are on the roads robbing Kenyans in broad daylight in the form of bribes?
The primary responsibility of healthcare professionals in Kenya is to provide high-quality services to all citizens. These include doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and various allied health professionals. By delivering their services, they contribute to better health outcomes, reduce mortality rates, and enhance the overall well-being and productivity of the population.
Ruto and Nakhumicha’s policy statements were in line with key aspects in the World Health Organisation (WHO) constitution which states that governments have a responsibility for the health of their people.
However, they have gone against their commitement. We insist that the President must offer quick solutions to avert more deaths. He owes it to Kenyans.
