Vihiga County, Kenya — The Ministry of Health leadership is in Vihiga County today pressing forward with the roll‐out of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the Taifa Care Model. The visit comes amid concerted efforts to strengthen health systems and rebuild public trust in health services.
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale is leading the mission. He is joined by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga, Social Health Authority (SHA) CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, Digital Health Authority (DHA) CEO Eng. Anthony Lenayara, and other national health officials. Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo is hosting the delegation, along with their county counterparts.
The programme includes a health caucus sensitisation forum, a tour of the Vihiga County Teaching and Referral Hospital, and a public engagement session designed to inform residents about the benefits of the Social Health Authority. Local residents are expected to learn how SHA will affect their access to services, cost of care, and quality.
As part of efforts to modernise service delivery, the delegation will hand over end-user devices to support digital health transformation in the county health system. These devices are intended to improve data collection, patient tracking, and overall efficiency.
Speaking to the people of Vihiga, CS Duale said, “Today we bring not just words but tools to support the county in delivering health services that are accessible, affordable and of high quality.”
Dr Ouma Oluga added, “We are committed to ensuring that every Kenyan has access to health care without facing financial hardship. SHA is not just a policy; it is a promise to transform lives.”
Governor Ottichilo welcomed the national leaders, noting that the county has already made strides in expanding primary health care, but said more remains to be done. “We look forward to the full implementation of SHA and UHC so that our people can enjoy better health outcomes and reduced out-of-pocket costs,” he said.
https://x.com/MOH_Kenya/status/1967519078416855383
Background & Implications
Kenya’s Taifa Care Model is the current government’s vehicle for achieving UHC. Under it, the Social Health Authority is intended to pool risk, regulate providers, and subsidize care so that health services become more equitable.
Counties, as key operational units in Kenya’s devolved health system, are central to delivering services under UHC. Previous agreements between the Ministry of Health and counties have emphasised collaboration on the roll-out of the Social Health Insurance Fund, digital health, staff support, and financing arrangements. (vihiga.go.ke)
Vihiga County has earlier committed to improving health service delivery through digital health systems, better community health programmes, and stakeholder partnerships. These past efforts set the stage for today’s event. (livinggoods.org)
Challenges Ahead
While the visit underscores strong political will, several challenges remain. Health service delivery in many counties, including Vihiga, is hampered by:
- Insufficient human resources in specialised healthcareand digital health expertise
- Under-investment in infrastructure and equipment needed to implement new systems and expand capacity
- Limited awareness among communities about how SHA will work and what benefits they should expect
- Budget constraints and dependency on government funding, posing sustainability risks for UHC programmes
What to Expect Going Forward
The success of the Vihiga visit will be judged by how quickly the commitments made today are translated into action. Key indicators to watch include:
- Distribution and use of the digital devices to health facilities and how effectively data tools are integrated
- Uptake of SHA registration by residents and providers
- Improvements in referral hospital services and reduction of out-of-pocket expenses for patients
- Monitoring and public feedback on service quality, especially at county health centres
If well implemented, the UHC roll-out under Taifa Care in Vihiga could become a model for other counties. For now, the people of Vihiga await real change.
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