This archive report was first published on 6 December 2021.
Q&A with Health CS Mutahi Kagwe ¶
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe answers questions from the public via Sunday Nation on December 6, 2021.
Published on December 6, 2021, the Q&A session covered various topics, including the status of the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service Bill, 2020, and the government's plans to address the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
On the KNBTS Bill, 2020, CS Kagwe stated that the bill is in the National Assembly and the process of its enactment has begun, with the hope that it will be passed soon.
Regarding the cartels at Afya House, CS Kagwe acknowledged that reforming any institution is a process and that there will always be resistance internally and externally. He noted that the government has been firm on this, as it envisions Kemsa playing a critical role in achieving the Big Four Agenda target on universal health coverage.
CS Kagwe also addressed the issue of hospitals prioritizing lives over money, stating that hospitals should endeavour to offer care as a call of humanity. He noted that the right to emergency care is guaranteed in the Constitution and that an emergency care policy has been developed and a steering committee gazetted.
On the Covid-19 response, CS Kagwe stated that the focus of the current coronavirus plan is ensuring as many eligible people as possible get their first doses. He noted that once this critical mass is achieved, the government may consider boosters.
CS Kagwe also addressed the issue of the Sputnik vaccine, stating that Kenyans who got the first shot of Sputnik did receive their second doses as recommended.
Regarding the government's communication strategy on vaccination, CS Kagwe stated that the government has a robust communication programme that targets specific audiences. He noted that the coronavirus vaccination communication strategy includes advocacy and social mobilisation with a healthy mix of multimedia activities.
On the issue of self-medication, CS Kagwe stated that the government through the Pharmacy and Poisons Board conducts regular inspections to weed out quacks and illegal pharmacies or chemists. He noted that the government has also developed policies that speak to anti-microbial resistance and is sensitising the public on the dangers of misusing medicine.
Finally, CS Kagwe addressed the issue of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, stating that the Ministry of Health recommends continuation and even stepping up of the national accelerated programme to vaccinate 10 million Kenyans by the end of this year and more than 26 million by the end of 2022.
