Gucha residents embrace Universal Healthcare

Kisii,

Sunday October 22, 2023

KNA by Misheba Alfred

Residents of Gucha gathered at Sengera grounds to commemorate this year's Mashujaa Day celebrations have embraced the proposal for Universal Healthcare.

The event brought together community leaders, health officials, and local residents in a united effort to highlight the importance of accessible and affordable healthcare for all.

During the event, the sub-county Public Health Officer, Michael Oyunge addressed the gathered crowd and shared significant developments in the field of healthcare in Gucha. Oyunge proudly announced that Gucha sub-county now boasts 260 dedicated community health promoters, strategically distributed in 26 community health units throughout the sub-county.

These community health promoters, he said, have been a driving force in the campaign to extend healthcare access to all residents and their dedication has been instrumental in improving the health situation in the area.

“Their efforts have substantially reduced the burden on the eleven health facilities in the subcounty, as the number of health-related cases reported in these facilities has seen a significant decline,” Oyunge underscored.

In a significant shift from previous years when community health workers served on a volunteer basis, Oyunge proudly said that these dedicated individuals are now fully enrolled on a payment system. This pivotal change reflects a conscious effort to recognize and reward the valuable contributions of these health promoters, motivating them to continue their tireless work in the community.

The officer used the platform to appeal to the county leadership to consider increasing the number of community health promoters in the sub-county to further bolster the success of the healthcare program. This change aligns with Kisii County's commitment to building a healthcare system that promotes Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The residents were also informed of an upcoming mass net distribution exercise scheduled to begin in the middle of the next month. However, it was emphasized that only those who have registered will be eligible to benefit from the aid. A significant change from past distribution processes is the shift from manual paper-based registration to a digital registration system.

During the event, Deputy County Commissioner Esther Kungu, emphasized the importance of individual contributions to the community. She urged all citizens to work diligently and find their own unique ways to become heroes within their local areas. Kungu praised healthcare practitioners as the unsung heroes of the nation, commending their selfless dedication to the well-being of the country's population.

Area Member of County Assembly (MCA) Peter Mokua Okerio echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of public servants and political leaders making a lasting positive impact in the communities they serve. By doing so, he asserted, they can become heroes in their own right, leaving a legacy of progress and development.

The Mashujaa Day celebration was a fitting platform to announce the government's commitment to strengthening the legal framework for health financing, service provision, and the realization of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Four new health laws have been enacted to support these initiatives, including the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, the Primary Health Care Act, of 2023, the Facility Improvement Financing Act, of 2023, and the Digital Health Act, of 2023. These laws lay the foundation for Kenya's journey towards achieving UHC, ensuring that quality healthcare is accessible to all its citizens.

Courtesy; KNA