State to spend Sh300 million to boost health

By PATRICK BEJA

The health sector faces inadequate funding particularly for infrastructure development, the Government has said.

Medical Services PS James ole Kiyiapi admitted the sector was facing enormous challenges and was far from achieving the Abuja Declaration on financing health services.

"In the past, funding to the sector from development partners has largely focused on programmes and to a limited extent system development as opposed to infrastructure improvement, equipment and health commodities," said Prof Kiyiapi.

He was speaking at the opening of a GTZ health sector meeting at Serena Beach Hotel, Mombasa, and when he toured Coast Provincial General Hospital Wednesday.

The PS announced the Government, through donors, had set aside Sh300 million to upgrade health institutions.

Expect changes

Kiyiapi said the Government had embarked on a four-year project to equip all public hospitals to the required standards.

He said despite existence of qualified health workers in public facilities, inadequate equipment had hindered delivery of services.

"For the next four years the Ministry will embark on reforms in the sector where Kenyans should expect changes," said Kiyiapi.

He said Sh86 million donated by the Danish Government had been set aside to install dialysis machines at the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital.