- Sakaja said the new administrative model where CEOs head hospitals had proven effective in the city’s Level 5 hospitals.
- The county boss said the cabinet resolved to prioritise the hiring of seasoned professionals to address the need for improved leadership.
Image: HANDOUT
Governor Johnson Sakaja has approved the appointment of 11 Chief Executive Officers to manage Nairobi’s level 4 hospitals.
Sakaja said the move is aimed at enhancing the management of health institutions and boosting service delivery in healthcare facilities.
“These measures are in line with the latest legislative frameworks to ensure the highest standards of public health service,” Sakaja said.
He was speaking during his 32nd Cabinet meeting where he chaired deliberations at City Hall, Nairobi.
Sakaja said the new administrative model where CEOs head hospitals had proven effective in the city’s level 5 hospitals.
“Having seen the positive impact, we are now extending the same approach to our level 4 hospitals in Nairobi,” he said.
Sakaja said the introduction of the governance model will not only streamline operations but enhance financial management and accountability within the hospitals and ensure they are better equipped to serve the public effectively and efficiently.
The county boss said the cabinet resolved to prioritise the hiring of seasoned professionals to address the need for improved leadership under the county’s latest healthcare reform strategies.
“CEOs will be responsible for navigating the complexities of healthcare, ensuring that each facility can meet modern healthcare demands,” the governor affirmed.
Sakaja pointed out that the decision to hire the CEOs aligns with the requirements of the Public Finance Management Act (2012) and the Facilities Improvement Financing Act (2023), which call for greater accountability and enhanced management in public health institutions.
"By appointing CEOs for these hospitals, the county aims to introduce robust governance structures that will streamline operations and improve financial oversight," he reiterated.
Nairobi's healthcare system is layered across six levels, with the county government directly managing 128 health facilities.
The cabinet noted that despite receiving the lion’s share of the health sector budget, the facilities have faced chronic shortages and stock-outs of essential medications, affecting service delivery.
It said to address the issue, the cabinet said there’s need for innovation to have revolving fund model pharmacies to address the critical gaps by ensuring a consistent supply of medications.
“This model not only aims to stabilise drug supply but also to make healthcare more affordable and efficient for Nairobi’s diverse population,” a dispatch released after the meeting read in part.
“By functioning as secondary sources of essential medications, these pharmacies are expected to dramatically reduce the frequency of stockouts, thereby ensuring that no patient is turned away due to the unavailability of necessary drugs.”