In a significant step towards improving healthcare accessibility, First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto today flagged off mobile clinics, fridges, and transportation freezers at State House.
These resources are set to benefit seven counties: Baringo, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, West Pokot, Mandera, and Isiolo. Additionally, a team comprising eight dedicated nurses and drivers will undergo training, enhancing knowledge sharing and continuous improvement in the health sector.
The First Lady expressed her gratitude to the German Government, the KFW Development Bank, and the Aga Khan University Hospital for this substantial donation. The equipment and mobile clinics align perfectly with the Healthcare Pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
During the handover ceremony, Rashid Khalani, CEO of Aga Khan University Hospital, said “the recent enactment of laws to support universal health coverage is poised to change the way Kenyans access healthcare services by ensuring that the care they need is availed to them timely and nearer to where they live.”
Oskar von Maltzan, Country Director of KfW Development Bank, highlighted the impact of the mobile clinics on healthcare accessibility. “These mobile clinics will significantly extend the reach of healthcare services, bringing them closer to the doorsteps of Kenyans. Regular health screenings facilitated by these clinics will enable early disease identification and intervention, enhancing the quality of life for citizens,” he explained.
Susan Nakhumicha, Cabinet Secretary at the Ministry of Health, underscored the ministry’s commitment to delivering universal healthcare.
“We have transitioned from a focus solely on curative services to promoting healthcare, disease prevention, and rehabilitation. Primary healthcare is pivotal for universal healthcare, and these mobile clinics, especially in the beneficiary counties, will play a key role in this new approach,” she affirmed.
Muthomi Njuki, the Governor of Tharaka Nithi County and Chair of the Health Committee at the Council of Governors, emphasized the importance of proximity to health services.
“The Geneva Convention recommends a maximum distance of 5 kilometers to access health facilities. However, our beneficiary counties, given their vastness, may not have a medical facility within every 5 kilometers. The introduction of mobile clinics will bridge this gap, ensuring healthcare services reach every corner and helping scale up universal health coverage,” he said.
The launch of these mobile clinics marks a significant stride towards ensuring comprehensive and accessible healthcare services for all Kenyan citizens, especially in remote and underserved regions.
