Governor Ahmed Abdullahi: Coordinated healthcare delivery can improve patient outcomes for Kenyans

Council of Governors Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi has emphasized the importance of stronger coordination between the national and county governments to enhance healthcare delivery and ensure tangible outcomes for patients. At the Kenya Health Summit held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Abdullahi stressed the necessity of intergovernmental collaboration for the sustainability of reforms in the health sector.

He pointed out that the summit's theme, "Reform Delivered, Health as a Right," aligns with the constitutional duty of governments to provide Kenyans with quality healthcare. Abdullahi highlighted that devolution, since the adoption of the 2010 Constitution, has transformed healthcare governance, granting counties a central role in delivering health services.

He affirmed that through coordinated, intergovernmental implementation, functional service delivery, and measurable patient outcomes, significant progress can be made for Kenyans. The governor reported on several advancements, including the deployment of over 107,800 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) under a 50-50 financing model between the national and county governments, thereby broadening access to primary healthcare services.

Additionally, he noted the expansion of Primary Care Networks from 89 to 277. In terms of health financing, Abdullahi disclosed that counties have received Sh46 billion since the introduction of the Social Health Authority (SHA). Out of this sum, Sh31.4 billion has been disbursed to hospitals via the Social Health Insurance Fund, and Sh14.2 billion has been reimbursed to primary healthcare facilities.

He reported that 98 percent of public health facilities have been integrated into the SHA, and 32.4 million people have registered under the Social Health Insurance Fund. Abdullahi also commended the improvements in emergency medical services, with 304 of the 506 ambulances operated by counties now part of the national ambulance dispatch system, thereby enhancing referral linkages and response times for patients in need of urgent and specialized care.

Furthermore, he highlighted the National Equipment Service Programme, which has bolstered counties' ability to manage critical patients and offer specialized services. Abdullahi concluded by reiterating the need for continued cooperation between the national and county governments to transform healthcare reforms into measurable improvements for patients.