The Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors have defended the new National Equipment Service Program (NESP) model for procuring medical equipment services in the country.
A publication in the Daily Nation had poked holes in the model saying it would sink health facilities, describing it as another scandal in the offing.
However, the Ministry of Health explained that the new Fixed Fee-for-Service (FFS) model shifts the financial responsibility of medical equipment from government and county facilities to contracted vendors.
While praising FFS, Health CS Deborah Barasa said the new model allows vendors to supply, maintain, and upgrade state-of-the-art equipment at no upfront cost to county health facilities. The equipment are not leased as inaccurately reported.
This, CS Barasa said, would enable counties to focus resources on patient care improving healthcare services in the country.
In the FFS model, suppliers invest in and place medical equipment in county health facilities at no upfront cost but will be paid a fee for services rendered.
The Social Health Authority (SHA) reimburses facilities for the gazetted tariff amounts.
Barasa said the model fosters transparency, efficiency, and sustainability while enhancing healthcare delivery nationwide.
The Health boss also dismissed a claim by the publication that the model was adopted in secrecy.
She said a transparent tendering process was undertaken informed by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act and public advertisements were made in MyGOV bulletin, the Ministry of Health website, and the Public Procurement Information Portal in June 2024.
"The evaluation process, conducted jointly by representatives from the Ministry of Health and County Governments adhered to strict guidelines including, alignment with Social Health Authority benefit tariffs. Following the evaluation, contracts were awarded to seven (7) qualified bidders in October 2024," said Barasa.Barasa further said an administrative framework has also been established jointly with the Ministry of Health and County Government to guide the implementation of the FFS model.
Notably, county governments have signed, on a voluntary basis, Intergovernmental Participatory Agreements to facilitate the program.
