Debra Mulongo: I support creation of the health service commission

By Peter Ochieng

Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) nominee Dr Debrah Mulongo Barasa seemingly succumbed to pressure from Members of Parliament (MPs), before declaring her support for formation of the Health Service Commission.

If formed, the commission will address all issues pertaining to the health sector, just as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) does in the teaching profession.

Several stakeholders, among them the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) have been calling for formation of the commission to streamline operations in the health sector.

During her vetting by members of the National Assembly Committee on Appointments, the CS nominee initially avoided speaking to the matter of formation of the health commission, despite it having been raised by several members.

As the session continued, an unnamed doctor sent text messages to members of the committee, among them the chairman, Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, who directly pointed out the issue to the nominee.

“As part of the doctor’s fraternity, I support the creation of the National Health Service Commission,” declared Dr Barasa. Responding to most of the questions, the nominee promised to employ a ‘consultative approach’ with various stakeholders as a sure way of ensuring stability and delivery in the ‘tricky’ ministry.

Some MPs, among them Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah doubted her ability to deal with corruption cartels in the ministry of health. “Afya House is Mafia House,” declared the Kikuyu MP.

“I will hold my office with high professionalism and integrity,” responded the CS nominee, adding that she will work with stakeholders to prevent corruption. Mulongo, a native of Trans Nzoia County said she started practising as a doctor in 2007, before landing at the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020.

Susan Nakhumicha, the former CS also hailed from Trans Nzoia.

The nominee acknowledged that the doctors’ strikes have become a challenge to previous CSs, adding that they can be avoided if stakeholders embrace dialogue.

"I believe that the long-term solutions are with us. We need to work together with the unions, doctors themselves, the interns, the bodies among other stakeholders to come up with a solution," she added.

She said she will also endeavour to ensure that all health facilities are in full operation, so as to provide quality healthcare services to Kenyans across the country. Her net worth, she concluded, is 455 million jointly with her husband.