The Heart of Healthcare

By Mary Goretty

Health issues in Kenya today present a complex landscape shaped by both communicable and non-communicable diseases. The common diseases affecting Kenya today include the Tropical Diseases especially Malaria, cholera and Tuberculosis (TB), infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and cancer.

Healthcare stands at a critical crossroad, Providers struggle to deliver quality care amid staffing shortages and resource constraints while patience face barriers such as access to healthcare areas which is often in rural areas where facilities may be under-resourced, lack of insurance or insufficient availability of health providers, high prices for medical services and pharmaceuticals which make peoples not to seek the necessary care.

Additionally, insufficient channels for sharing information and the best practices to improve our healthcare, overcrowded healthcare facilities and competing demands for healthcare services, unsupportive cultures and norms in health sector, lack of funding to review curriculum and teaching methods for a healthier lifestyle,  a shortage of visionary leaders, pandemic and public health crises events like the COVID-19 pandemic expose vulnerabilities in healthcare systems including supply chain issues and the need for rapid response mechanism and socio-economic disparities exacerbate health challenges.

Mental health issues are increasing especially among our youths yet still remain stigmatized and underfunded.

Besides that, many Kenyans struggle to access affordable healthcare under SHIF due to financial constraints. The newly introduced fund do not benefits all Kenyans but only those who pay for SHIF and most probably this are employed people. This also increases the gaps among people in the community.

Today, we gather to acknowledge and appreciate the significant strides made by our government in addressing critical health issues that impact our communities such as public health complain, mental health services expansion, digital heath innovations, increase funding for healthcare and universal healthcare coverage to ensure most citizens have access to access to good medical services.

As we reflect on these accomplishments is essential to recognize the hard work of countless public health officials, healthcare workers and policymakers whose tireless efforts have contributed to healthier future for all. Together we can continue to support and advocate for healthy policies such as doing exercise regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding drug abuse, protecting yourself from sexually transmitted diseases and eating balanced diet.