GOVERNOR STEPHEN SANG LEADS HIGH-LEVEL CONSULTATIVE MEETING TO ACCELERATE UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE IN NANDI COUNTY
The County Government of Nandi took a significant step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as Governor Stephen Sang convened a high-level consultative meeting with key stakeholders to strategize and accelerate the implementation of UHC in the region. The forum, held today at the Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex, brought together a diverse group of leaders and healthcare professionals to align efforts, address challenges, and enhance service delivery across the county’s healthcare system.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot, CEC Member for Health and Sanitation Dr. Angeline Kirui, Chief Officer for Health Fredrick Kiptum, County Director for Health Dr. David Bungei, and facility in-charges. Also present were Community Health Promoters (CHPs), departmental team leaders from both county and sub-county levels, finance and Facility Improvement Fund (FIF) teams, and officials from the Social Health Authority (SHA). This broad representation underscored the collective commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for Nandi County residents.
The discussions centered on several critical areas aimed at strengthening the county’s healthcare system:
Scaling Up SHA Registration: Currently, SHA registration stands at approximately 31%. The forum emphasized the urgent need to increase enrollment significantly to ensure more households can access affordable healthcare services. Expanding SHA coverage is expected to reduce the financial burden on families and improve overall health outcomes.
Addressing Claims Processing and Reimbursement Challenges: Stakeholders identified bottlenecks in the claims processing and reimbursement system as a major barrier to efficient healthcare delivery. The meeting explored solutions to streamline these processes, ensuring that healthcare providers are reimbursed promptly and can continue offering quality services without interruptions.
Optimizing Capitation Expenditure: The forum discussed strategies to optimize capitation funds to maximize their impact on health facilities. By ensuring that resources are allocated effectively, the county aims to enhance the quality of care and expand access to essential health services.
Advancing Digitalization in Healthcare: Digital transformation emerged as a key priority, with discussions focusing on leveraging technology to improve efficiency, data management, and patient care. The adoption of digital tools is expected to enhance service delivery, reduce administrative burdens, and provide better health outcomes for residents.
Governor Sang emphasized the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders to achieve the county’s UHC goals. He commended the dedication of healthcare workers and community health promoters, whose efforts are critical to the success of UHC initiatives. The Deputy Governor, Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot, echoed these sentiments, calling for sustained partnerships and community engagement to drive progress.
The CEC Member for Health and Sanitation, Dr. Angeline Kirui, highlighted the need for innovative approaches to address existing gaps in the healthcare system. She reiterated the county’s commitment to ensuring that every resident has access to affordable, quality healthcare services.
The meeting also saw the participation of other key county officials, including the CEC Member for Trade and Industrialization, Dr. Philemon Bureti; the CEC Member for Finance, Hon. Hillary Serem; the Chief Officer for Water, Jonah Tireito; and Chief Officer for Sports Kipchumba Cheruiyot and Chief Officer for Culture Benjamin Kiprotich. Their presence underscored the multi-sectoral approach required to achieve UHC, recognizing that health is interconnected with other sectors such as finance, water, and environmental management.
A Path Forward
The consultative forum marked a pivotal moment in Nandi County’s journey toward Universal Health Coverage. By fostering collaboration, addressing systemic challenges, and embracing innovation, the county is poised to make significant strides in improving healthcare access and quality for its residents. Governor Sang and the county leadership reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of health equity and well-being.
As Nandi County continues to implement its UHC roadmap, the outcomes of this high-level meeting are expected to serve as a catalyst for transformative change, setting a benchmark for other counties in Kenya and beyond. With a united front and a clear vision, Nandi County is well on its way to achieving its healthcare goals and improving the lives of its people.