Kariobangi residents to gain health advocacy skills through new ICJ programme
The programme by ICJ in Kariobangi comes against the backdrop of an ongoing conversation on the effectiveness of SHA that has encountered challenges in its implementation.
A new programme on health advocacy set to be implemented in Kariobangi, Nairobi, is aiming to have the residents empowered on matters of equity in health services.
The programme, by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) titled “Health Equity Advocates: Amplifying Civil Society's Voice in Healthcare Governance” aims to improve healthcare delivery in the country by fostering dialogues that will influence health policies and legislations.
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ICJ Kenya Programme Officer Geoffrey Odhiambo who is spearheading the initiative noted that the project aims to improve healthcare governance in Kenya by fostering the participation of civil society organisations (CSOs) in policy and legislative dialogues.
" The programme aims to strengthen the participation of civil societies in policy and legislative dialogues in a way that will improve healthcare delivery in the country," said Odhiambo.
In an open forum in Kariobangi on Friday, community members engaged in conversations, sharing their perspectives on the challenges facing the healthcare sector in the country while providing solutions on what needs to be done in order to shave an efficient and effective healthcare system that will serve all Kenyans.
A community leader in Kariobangi gives his experience with the healthcare system in the country at the forum. (Barack Odour)
According to ICJ, the project aims to further ensure that healthcare policies reflect equity, accountability, and transparency by amplifying the voices of CSOs and citizens through capacity-building initiatives, policy dialogue platforms, and community outreach.
"Public participation in healthcare governance is essential, as it embodies the needs, rights, and priorities of all citizens," said Odhiambo.
The programme by ICJ in Kariobangi comes against the backdrop of an ongoing conversation on the effectiveness of the new national health insurance scheme referred to as the Social Health Authority (SHA)that has encountered challenges in its implementation.
Last month, the Authority's chairperson, Dr Mohammed Abdi in a radio interview noted that delays in contracts between facilities and the SHA have led some to turn away patients.
Abdi explained why not all facilities are onboarded to the new system.
“The reason why everyone is not on board is because of the previous contracting issues that NHIF used to have. It used to take two years, with many back and forth below the table discussions, for you to be onboarded,” said Abdi.
Abdi clarified that while the authority has begun empanelment of facilities through the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), these facilities retain the autonomy to contract.
According to Abdi, SHA has empanelled all facilities previously contracted by NHIF and communicated all necessary details for a smooth transition. The new system, which was launched on October 1, now has almost 6,000 facilities signed on.
