State renews UHC pledge, calls for nurses support
The government has renewed its commitment towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by calling on nurses to spearhead its delivery since they form the bulk of the health workforce in the country.
Health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe said nurses play an integral role in health delivery and without them the sector will have numerous gaps especially in the achievement of UHC, one of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s legacy projects.
He challenged the nurses to strengthen midwifery and nursing as a profession by embracing innovative and transformative strategies and actions that will overcome persistent nursing and midwifery challenges such as strikes.
The CS particularly pointed out that the guidelines in two reviewed manuals, will serve no purpose if they remain in the shelves and do not get expressed through practice and service delivery by the nurses.
“I am content that the Manual of Clinical Procedures in Nursing and Midwifery, will, when put into practice, provide nurses and midwives with the knowledge and skills that enable them to deliver high-quality care in the key areas that matter to patients, clients and the community at large,” he said in Nairobi yesterday.
Health manuals
The manuals capture; the fundamentals of nursing; medical-surgical nursing; midwifery and obstetrics nursing; mental health and psychiatric nursing and; community Health Nursing.
The CS in a statement delivered by Health Chief Administrative Secretary, Dr Rashid Aman challenged the nurses, that it’s only them who can ensure they breathe life into the guidelines through practice.
“This will ensure an educated, competent and motivated nursing and midwifery workforce,” he stated.
The Ministry, through the nursing division, he indicated is in the process of reengineering its business to meet the current globalisation standards of functionality by improving the capacity of nurses and midwives in various carders.
“The Ministry of Health recognizes the fundamental role nurses and midwives play in achieving the Universal Health Coverage, Kenya Vision 2030, and the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on GOAL 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing that seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all, at all ages.
“These two documents, therefore, signify a milestone in fulfilling the function of improving, promoting, and protecting the health of Kenyans as well as their wellbeing through Health Policy and Standards Management.
I am also pleased to note that the review of these two documents was done taking into account the Universal Health Coverage goal,” he added.
Kagwe urged the nurses to adhere to their work ethics and discharge their duties with dedication.
The two documents are in line with Article 43 (1) (a) of the Constitution which underscores that every person has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including the right to healthcare services that include reproductive health care.
“For this reason, I welcome the Nursing Council’s review of the Manual of Clinical Procedures in Nursing and Midwifery and the entry level cadres’ Scope of Practice to reflect the spirit of the constitution and other enabling legislation and policies,” he said.
He said the ministry is also in the process of increasing its capacity in all sectors to enhance accessibility, affordability, availability and acceptability of quality healthcare.
Our expectation is that the documents we are launching today will aid in human resource development and management by guiding performance of nurses and midwives in their day-to-day practice, Kagwe noted.
Nurses and midwives provide over 80 percent of all health care services in a variety of health care settings in Kenya.
Nursing Council of Kenya Chief Executive Officer, Edna Tallam said the reviewed documents are based on the dynamic nature of the nursing and midwifery profession.
