This archive report was first published on 12 June 2020.
On June 12, 2020, the Kenyan government announced a significant allocation to the health sector in the 2020/21 budget, with the ministry of health set to receive Sh111.7 billion.
Of this amount, Sh50 billion will be dedicated to the government's quest for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a key priority in the country's healthcare system.
The health sector is one of four priority sectors, alongside education, infrastructure, and security, which will receive a combined allocation of Sh497.7 billion, Sh172.4 billion, Sh167.9 billion, and Sh497.7 billion respectively.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yattani stated that the funds will be used to strengthen healthcare systems, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, by providing necessary equipment and medical personnel.
Other key allocations include Sh19.2 billion to address HIV, Malaria, and TB, Sh6.2 billion for the Managed Equipment Service (MES) project, and Sh5.3 billion to modernize the healthcare system for UHC.
Additionally, Sh4.1 billion will be allocated for free maternal healthcare, while Sh1.8 billion will be used to provide medical cover for the elderly and disabled.
Substantial allocations have also been made to various hospitals, including Sh15 billion for Kenyatta National Hospital, Sh10 billion for Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and Sh7.2 billion for Kenya Medical Training Centres.
Furthermore, Sh4.3 billion has been allocated as a conditional grant to Level V hospitals in the counties, and Sh1.2 billion will be used to hire an additional 5,000 healthcare workers to support local staff during the pandemic.
Other COVID-19 interventions include the allocation of Sh500 million for the supply of 20,000 locally made beds and bedding to public hospitals, and Sh25 million to support the establishment of 50 modern walk-through sanitizers at border points and main hospitals.
