The Constitution in Article 43, sub-article 1 (a) states that “Every person has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to healthcare services, including reproductive healthcare”. Article 43 sub-article 2 also states that a person shall not be denied emergency medical treatment. The Jubilee government, as part of its Big Four Agenda, plans to roll out universal health coverage to all Kenyans by 2022, guaranteeing quality and affordable healthcare to all Kenyans. In the 2018/2019 budget, universal health coverage received a provision KES 2.5 billion.

The government plans to reconfigure the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and reform the governance of private insurance companies. They also plan to have 100% of the poor covered by government, 9 million people covered by KES 32 billion formal member contributions, 12 million people covered by KES 28 billion informal member contributions, and a 50% decrease in out of pocket medical expenses.

We’re joined by Dr. Amakove Wala, Programme Director – Health Systems Strengthening at Amref in Kenya, to talk about how we can achieve universal health coverage in Kenya.

Resources

Constitution of Kenya – Article 43: Economic and social rights

2018 Budget Policy Statement

Big Four Agenda at core of Kenya spending, to spur economic growth

Refocusing on quality of care and increasing demand for services; Essential elements in attaining universal health coverage in Kenya

Towards Universal Health Coverage in Kenya: Are We On The Right Path?

Kenya National Hospital Insurance Fund Reforms: Implications and Lessons for Universal Health Coverage

County Governments At The Centre of Achieving Universal Health Care

Universal Health Care As Inspired By The Kenya Vision 2030

President Uhuru launches Universal Health Coverage Pilot Program Nairobi, (KENYA) December 13, 2018

How Kenya can attain universal health care

Universal Health Coverage: What you need to know

The Path to Universal Health Coverage in Kenya : Repositioning the Role of the National Hospital Insurance Fund

Domestic Resource Mobilization for Health: National Health Financing Dialogue for Implementation of the Health Sector Domestic Financing Sustainability Plan [UHC Delivery for Kenya – Issue Paper]

Universal Health Coverage Advocacy Guide

Linda Mama, Boresha Jamii: Implementation Manual for Programme Managers

Only 20% Kenyans have medical cover

Start of a new era of health care in Makueni

County Universal Social Protection Coverage for All: A Case Study of Makueni County, Kenya

What makes Makaueni’s Sh 500-a year universal Health Care Programme tick

How to achieve universal health coverage? Focus on primary care

Episode 21: #LipaKamaTender

Episode 70: Financing the Kenyan Government

Episode 105: Social Protection in Kenya

Episode 110: Non-Communicable Diseases

Image Credit: AFIDEP