Treasury Allocates 62.3 Billion Shillings For Universal Health

Of the total amount of 146.8 billion shillings allocated to the health sector to support the various programs aimed at improving health outcomes, 62.3 billion shillings have been proposed to ensure the Universal Health Coverage is a success.

While reading the 2022/2023 national budget before the National Assembly, Yatani outlined the specific allocations for various activities and programs include.

A sum of 7.0 billion shillings has been allocated for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines and related expenditures, 4.1 billion shillings for Free Maternity Health, 5.2 billion shillings for the Managed Equipment Services, and 1.8 billion shillings to provide medical cover for the elderly and severely disabled persons in our society.

Meanwhile, a total of 16.2 billion shillings has been recommended to lower cases of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and tuberculosis in the country, while 5.2 billion shillings for the enhancement of vaccines and immunizations program

To further improve health service delivery, 18.1 billion shillings have been proposed for the Kenyatta National Hospital, 11.7 billion for the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, 7.7 billion shillings for the Kenya Medical Training Centers, 2.9 billion for the Kenya Medical Research Institute, and 1.1 billion shillings for the construction of Kenya National Hospital Burns and Pediatrics Centre

Another 1.2 billion shillings have been allocated to the procurement of family planning and reproductive health commodities, 300 million shillings for the procurement of cyberknife radiotherapy equipment, 1.3 billion shillings for the construction of a cancer center at Kisii level V hospital, and 619.0 million shillings for procurement of equipment at the National Blood Transfusion Services

The Treasury has reported that hospital bed capacity increased from 56,069 in 2013 to 82,291 in 2020. This increase is attributed to over 1,912 new hospitals constructed across the country by the National and County Governments.

Further, the introduction of a free maternal health care program dubbed “Linda Mama” initiated in 2016 has led to the decline of the maternal mortality rate by 26 percent. This program alongside the ‘’Beyond Zero Campaign’’ led by the First Lady has reportedly contributed to the improvement of maternal health care in the country.

To address the growing cancer burden, over the last decade, the Government has formulated appropriate policies and allocated sufficient resources to guide the delivery of cancer testing and treatment services.

Some of these interventions include; the establishment of the National Cancer Institute as an overall coordinating agency, construction and equipment of comprehensive cancer centers at KNH, in Mombasa, Nakuru, and Garissa Counties, and support to 10 County Referral Hospitals to operationalize chemotherapy clinics.

Read More: Five Interesting Facts that Will Change How You Think About Oral Health