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Kenya: The National Assembly’s Health Committee yesterday took to task Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia over his request for additional Sh2.49 billion for medical services.
The committee members led by chairperson Rachael Nyamai expressed reservations on the ministry’s appeal for more funds.
The funds sought included Sh225 million for food supplements for HIV/Aids, Sh200 million for fungicides, insecticides and sprays, Sh3 million for legal fees and Sh139 million for development.
Nyamai, James Nyikal (Seme), Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren), Robert Pukose (Endebes), James Gisame (West Mugirango) and Martin Mule (Matungulu) cautioned that funding such programmes might not be sustainable in the long run.
The lawmakers instead committed to support additional Sh1 billion for contractual employees (intern doctors and post-graduates), Sh200 million for salaries of registrars and Sh728 million for Ebola mitigation, including Sh136 million for isolation facility.
“The ministry should prioritise its projects to avoid duplication at the county level or double allocation. The funding for Ebola and health personnel is important but for food supplement is not realistic as it is funded by donors,” noted Dr Simiyu
Pukose and Mule demanded to know how the ministry plans to roll out the programmes without duplicating the same at the counties.
The CS defended his request, saying some of the projects like Malaria, TB and HIV/Aids prevention are national functions.
“We need adequate funds to effectively discharge our functions. The total vote for the last financial year was Sh94.1 billion. However, due to budgetary limitation, the National Treasury allocated Sh47.3 billion, resulting in a shortfall of Sh46.8 billion,” said Macharia.
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