This archive report was first published on 15 October 2019.
As we reflect on the legacy of Eliud Kipchoge, who shattered his limits to smithereens, we are reminded that Kenya is not limited. Our country boasts a salubrious climate, breathtaking landscapes, and a resilient spirit. However, our public healthcare system is a far cry from the limitless potential of our people.
Shortages of basic supplies, inadequate equipment, and a brain drain of nurses have become the norm in our public hospitals. It is a betrayal of the trust placed in our leaders when they fail to provide the necessary resources for our healthcare system. The First Lady's concerns about maternity departments lacking suction machines and bulb suckers are a stark reminder of the neglect of our public healthcare system.
The President's universal health coverage agenda will remain a pipe dream if we continue to empower private hospitals at the expense of public ones. It is time for us to demand a free, publicly funded healthcare system, where every Kenyan has access to quality healthcare without the option of private hospitals.
As a nurse, it pains me to see the discrepancy between the funding of NHIF for private and public hospitals. How can we explain the fact that private hospitals have exquisite supplies, while our county-run hospitals struggle to afford basic necessities? It is a betrayal of the trust placed in our leaders when they prioritize private interests over the health of our people.
Let us not be limited by the status quo. Let us demand a healthcare system that is free, publicly funded, and accessible to every Kenyan. A healthy people equals a healthy voting bloc; a win-win situation, if you ask me.
