Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, has called on the Global Financing Facility (GFF) to adopt a more action-driven approach to global health challenges. Speaking during a high-level breakfast meeting on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Dr. Oluga emphasized the need for faster, more cohesive implementation of health strategies to improve outcomes for women, children, and communities.
Dr. Oluga lauded the GFF’s role in strengthening healthcare systems, particularly in enhancing workforce capacity, increasing visibility and availability of medical commodities, and reducing maternal and child mortality through improved blood reserve systems.
He commended Kenya’s partnership with the GFF, highlighting progress in the digitization of health records to boost data-informed decision-making.
However, he urged the institution to “re-engineer its processes to enhance stakeholder cohesiveness” and to become more execution-focused. To this end, Dr. Oluga proposed the launch of a Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) framework to accelerate progress and tangible outcomes.
He also stressed the need for policy reforms that empower devolved units to align their goals with national health priorities, ensuring seamless implementation from the national to grassroots levels.
“The global financing landscape has fundamentally shifted,” Dr. Oluga noted, calling for fresh strategies and scalable innovations to ensure countries are better equipped to handle emerging health challenges.
The GFF, a key partner in global health financing, plays a crucial role in supporting countries to build sustainable health systems and achieve universal health coverage. Dr. Oluga’s remarks signal a growing demand among stakeholders for more agility and responsiveness in global health financing mechanisms.
