Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga has praised the ongoing efforts to equip public health facilities under the National Equipment Service Programme (NESP), describing it as a critical step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Kenya.
Speaking after receiving a progress report on NESP, Oluga reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare for all Kenyans. He emphasized that modern medical equipment is essential for strengthening the healthcare system and ensuring responsive and resilient service delivery.
“Equipping our health facilities with the right tools is a cornerstone of effective care. This is how we build a responsive, resilient health system,” Oluga stated, lauding the dedication of the teams implementing the programme.
NESP is a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors (COG), aimed at enhancing the capacity of county health facilities through the provision of up-to-date medical equipment. The programme follows the expiration of the Medical Equipment Service (MES) in December 2023, and it builds upon its predecessor’s successes.
Under NESP, seven contracted vendors are tasked with supplying, maintaining, and upgrading equipment in county hospitals at no upfront cost. Instead, counties pay for services rendered under a Fee-for-Service (FFS) model. This arrangement is intended to ease the financial burden on counties while ensuring consistent access to medical technologies.
However, the programme has not been without controversy. A section of governors initially opposed NESP, labeling it costly and claiming that they had been coerced into signing contracts. President William Ruto dismissed these claims, stating that all governors willingly entered into the agreements.
“Anybody who says that they were forced by the national government to sign whatever contract is a liar. There is nobody who forced them,” Ruto said, reaffirming the transparency and voluntary nature of the process.
Despite the initial opposition, NESP continues to roll out across the country, with a multi-agency team overseeing its implementation. The government remains optimistic that the programme will play a pivotal role in improving healthcare access and outcomes for millions of Kenyans.
