Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is gaining momentum in Lamu County as the government pushes for deeper community engagement in health sector reforms. During a public dialogue in Lamu, the Health Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed the government’s determination to fast-track UHC under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), emphasizing that grassroots participation is essential for lasting impact.
The Ministry of Health has laid out a four-pronged approach to achieving UHC: digital health transformation, reliable access to essential medicines, strategic investment in healthcare workers, and the establishment of a sustainable and equitable health financing system.
A major concern addressed was the persistent challenge of medical stock-outs in public health facilities. To tackle this, reforms have been introduced at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), including recapitalization and the implementation of robust accountability mechanisms. A digitized, end-to-end supply chain is being developed alongside a national track-and-trace system to ensure transparency and efficiency from supplier to patient. The ultimate goal is to attain a 100% order fill rate across all public facilities.
The Cabinet Secretary also placed a spotlight on maternal and child health, urging families in Lamu to prioritize immunization. Currently, childhood vaccination coverage in the region stands at 60%, with the Ministry aiming to boost this to 100%. In tandem, health facilities have been called upon to improve antenatal and maternity services to prevent avoidable maternal deaths and improve outcomes for both mothers and infants.
Community participation was another key theme, with a strong appeal to county governments, religious leaders, cultural elders, youth organizations, and media outlets to actively support the implementation of the newly launched Social Health Authority (SHA). Already, over 70,000 individuals have been registered under SHA in Lamu, and the Ministry is keen to see these numbers grow through community-led awareness campaigns and monitoring.
The rollout of SHA is designed to ensure that every household can access quality health services without financial hardship. The involvement of the community is seen as critical not just for uptake, but for ensuring transparency, accountability, and equitable distribution of health resources.
The Health Cabinet Secretary also delivered a stern warning against unlicensed medical practitioners and unethical practices within health facilities. He stressed the government’s commitment to protecting SHA funds and ensuring that only qualified, ethical professionals are allowed to operate in the health sector.
With a renewed focus on transparency, community involvement, and systemic reforms, Lamu is poised to become a model for successful UHC implementation in Kenya.
