This archive report was first published on 13 January 2020.
On January 13, 2020, the Kenyan government announced the start of the process to upscale Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in 47 counties, building on the success of a pilot program in four counties: Kisumu, Isiolo, Machakos, and Nyeri.
As part of this initiative, the Ministry of Health has signed intergovernmental participatory agreements with six counties: Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, and Nyandarua.
The UHC program aims to improve four key areas: human resource support, health technology, essential basic equipment, and monitoring and evaluation.
Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki emphasized the importance of this development, stating that it will lead to the recruitment of 4,000 interns, improved health technology, and essential basic equipment.
Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa and several governors present echoed her sentiments, highlighting the significance of this initiative.
Separately, the Mental Health Taskforce, appointed by the Health Cabinet Secretary on December 11, 2019, began gathering public views in Meru County on how to address mental illnesses in the country.
Participants expressed the need to strengthen the mental health sector, citing the increasing number of people suffering from mental illnesses.
