Counties urged to embrace partnership to improve healthcare services

County governments have been urged to work with the private sector to improve access to quality health services.

Makueni County Governor Kivutha Kibwana said for devolution of health services to be effective, counties must embrace public-private partnerships to complement efforts of the national and county governments.

Speaking at the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) Day held in Nairobi on Saturday, Prof Kibwana said healthcare services are one of the most significant functions devolved to the counties by the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

“One of the principles of devolution of healthcare is to provide better and accessible healthcare to all Kenyans. This cannot be achieved unless we pool our resources through public-private partnerships,” said Prof Kibwana.

The Makueni County chief noted that although there are many challenges facing devolution, it will benefit Kenyans if the process is well managed.

“Devolution presents the best opportunity to correct mistakes made by previous government structures. Devolution of health has ensured a good supply of medical products thereby restoring the confidence of our patients in our healthcare system,” he said.

He also faulted the National Assembly’s Committee on Implementation of Resolutions’ proposal to revert health functions to the national government.

“We cannot water down devolution by taking back devolved functions to the national government. Devolution of healthcare is enshrined in our Constitution and the only way it can be taken back to the national government is through a referendum to amend the Constitution.”

MEDS Managing Director Paschal Manyuru said private-public partnerships will spur development and increase access to quality healthcare in marginalised areas.

“A healthy workforce translates into a healthy nation and this cannot be achieved by one person; it is an initiative which calls for all players in the health sector to play an active role,” noted Manyuru.

He said the MEDS-County Governments’ Strategic Partnership launched in 2013 has seen over 35 counties get high quality medicines and pharmaceuticals from MEDS. He said plans were afoot to bring the remaining 12 counties on board.

Meds, which supplies medicines and pharmaceutical products to more than 2,000 clients in Kenya, has also been involved in quality assurance to help curb the proliferation of counterfeit medicines.