In a significant move to streamline the delivery of healthcare services, county governments are set to conduct a headcount of all Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers. This follows a consultative meeting between the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors aimed at enhancing accountability and resolving long-standing issues surrounding the absorption of UHC staff.
The headcount is one of the key resolutions reached during the meeting, as the national government prepares to transfer funds to county governments based on salary scales approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
This development is expected to address the long-standing push to integrate UHC staff fully into the devolved health system.The meeting also addressed the teething problems facing the recently launched Social Health Authority (SHA), which is at the center of Kenya’s efforts to deliver affordable and accessible healthcare to all citizens.
Among the critical issues discussed were the absorption of UHC workers, timely payment of Community Health Promoters, and the need to fast-track digitization in public health facilities.Challenges such as poor electricity and internet connectivity in some health centers were also highlighted, with a resolution to prioritize infrastructure improvements.
Additionally, there are plans to boost funding for emergency and chronic care services to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.Currently, over 21 million Kenyans have registered under the new health scheme.
As the government intensifies its crackdown on corruption and the misuse of pharmaceutical drugs—particularly among the youth—reforms are gaining momentum.
With these measures in place, there is growing hope among Kenyans that the ongoing efforts will translate into reliable, quality, and accessible healthcare for all, marking a major milestone in the country’s journey toward universal health coverage.
