President Ruto advocates multi-sectoral approach to healthcare

By Robert Mutasi 

Kenyan President William Ruto said Africa needs a multi-sectoral approach to healthcare, ensuring value addition in quality healthcare, education, and support for reduced mortality. 

During a high-level event on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, President Ruto emphasized progress that Kenya is making toward responding to health challenges at the grassroots.

"Africa needs a multi-sectoral approach — including quality healthcare, education, and community support — to reduce mortality, " Ruto stated. 

Ruto described Kenya's new strategy in unequivocal terms, mobilizing Community Health Promoters. 

"In Kenya, we have deployed Community Health Promoters to deliver crucial medical care directly to the grassroots, ensuring the well-being of women, children and other vulnerable groups for a sustainable future." Ruto narrated. 

Core medical equipment in hand, these workers brave Kenya's diversity of landscape to disperse essential healthcare to its most vulnerable populations-women and children.

The strong disinfectant smell and the assuring sound of amiable voices while health promoters go door-to-door create awareness that even the most far-flung parts of the country do not lag behind in receiving healthcare.

It is their presence that evokes the sense of touch in the community-tender hands offering care and hope to those in need.

This event, convened by the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, was a commitment to mobilizing efforts toward ensuring health and wellness for women, children, and adolescents.

The intent and urgency were palpable as side conversations among global leaders betrayed the gravity of the matter at hand.

A taste of anticipation remained as heads of state, among them Liberia's President Joseph Boakai and Tanzania's Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, shared ideas on how best to build sustainable health systems across the continent.

President Ruto also noted progress that has been made in combating HIV/AIDS-a momentous mark for global health.

"As we celebrate the gains made in combating HIV and Aids, we must also acknowledge the power of multilateralism in fostering transformative global partnerships, " acknowledged Ruto. 

Almost palpable, the sense of pride could be felt from Ruto as he spoke of the strides reached, attained by the strength of multilateral partnerships.

"Effective multilateralism allowed us to engage with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and Aids, greatly enhancing our efforts in resource mobilisation, advocating the rights of people living with the infection and providing inclusive support, " President Ruto said. 

President Ruto, while speaking at the "Multilateralism Works: Leadership and Sustaining the HIV Response to 2030 and Beyond" meeting, reassured Kenya's commitment as the current chair of the UNAIDS Board.

The event was rife with collective resolve as delegates listened keenly, their focus sharpened by the gravity of the HIV response.

Ruto reiterated the power of multilateralism-a force that, like the soft yet insistent breeze of New York's autumn, pushes efforts forward toward a future where health care is not a privilege but a right that accrues to all.