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The government said the hospital would strengthen the correctional system's capacity to provide timely treatment while reducing the need to refer patients to external facilities
The announcement adds to billions of shillings that the government has allocated to the health sector since President Ruto took office in September 2022
Ruto said bringing back Universal Health Coverage (UHC) was among the priorities he set after taking office, noting that he considered the programme to have been on its deathbed at the time.
The Ministry said having sufficient medicine is only part of the challenge, with effective management also requiring health products to be available in the correct quantities and locations
The summit will also examine the growing role of digital health in healthcare delivery and the use of technology to improve health services
The Kenya Health Summit is expected to bring together government officials, health professionals, development partners and other stakeholders involved in Kenya's health sector to deliberate on reforms and priorities shaping healthcare delivery
The Bill, sponsored by MP Martin Owino (Ndhiwa), seeks to make the National Facilities Improvement Financing Act the main law governing Facility Improvement Funds across the country. It aims to end situations where counties continue to operate under separate laws that contradict the national legislation.
The launch comes as the country continues to record thousands of new cases every year. Ministry of Health data shows that about 14,000 babies are born with sickle cell disease annually, while an estimated 250,000 Kenyans are living with the condition.
According to the Ministry of Health, the investment is expected to improve access to quality maternal and newborn care for about 5.9 million women and newborns while helping prevent an estimated 46,494 maternal and newborn deaths by 2031.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with the Health NGOs Network (HENNET) on Tuesday, Duale said the government would strengthen coordination with non-state actors through structured partnerships aimed at aligning development interventions with national priorities while enhancing transparency, accountability and the delivery of health services across the country
The investment will support the implementation of the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan, with the government targeting improvements in maternal and newborn health services across 21 counties identified as having the highest burden of preventable deaths.
The announcement came before the completion of the World Health Organization's standard 42-day countdown following the discharge of the last patient.