The World Health Organization (WHO) has pledged its support for the delivery of the universal healthcare plan laid down by President Uhuru Kenyatta. President Kenyatta has lauded the move, saying that the plan will enable Kenyans to access improved and affordable healthcare services. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pledged his full support to the programme after he paid a courtesy call to President Kenyatta at State House. “I am looking forward to partner with you to improve health not only in Kenya but also in the region,” said the WHO Director-General.
He pledged to work with the government by bringing health experts to assist in the development of a model that will be efficient and effective in the proviosn of healthcare for Kenyans. On his part, President Kenyatta said the healthcare targets are achievable, “We have a young population in Kenya and I see no reason why we can’t achieve our health targets,” he said. He added that it’s vital that the healthcare program which will be put in place must be affordable, or else it may collapse, citing that issue as being more important than its accesibility, infrastracture and management.
The President further revealed that he is looking forward to setting up a health system that will work well with devolved units, “I am keen to develop a health model that will be acceptable to the devolved units, a model that will guarantee our poeple better services,” he said. The provision of a universal healthcare system is part of the Big Four Action Plan pillars. Others are increased access to affordable housing, improving food security, and creating jobs by expanfing and improbving the manufacturing sector.
