This archive report was first published on 1 August 2019.
A report on the state of healthcare in Kenya paints a grim picture, highlighting the country's struggles in achieving maternal, infant, and child health targets.
Published in January 2018, the Kenya health services delivery survey report shows that the country's progress in achieving these targets has been slow compared to the previous SDI survey report.
According to the report, lack of medical equipment, drugs, and vaccines in health facilities is a major concern. In fact, basic equipment mandated by the government is not available at half of health facilities, while only half of the essential drugs are available.
Equitable access to quality health services remains a key challenge in Kenya, with the country facing an inequitable geographic distribution of service quality.
However, Director General Dr. Wekesa Masasabi noted that the indicators show progress in health infrastructure due to the introduction of devolution.
On a more positive note, the report shows that Kenya has made significant progress in delivering health services, particularly in the area of rural health infrastructure. This is attributed to concerted efforts by county governments to improve health infrastructure.
Elsewhere, a county assembly member in Kericho has sponsored his constituents to undergo free screening for cancer, highlighting the need for public sensitization about the disease.
Garissa residents can now access cancer screening services in all sub-counties, with a modern cancer treatment center currently being put up to initiate timely treatment.
The Catholic Church in Kakamega is urging the national and county governments to take measures to deal with the cancer menace, which is causing untold pain and suffering to thousands of Kenyans.
