Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung’u has allocated Sh18.4 billion towards the funding of Universal Health Coverage in the 2023-2024 budget.
Despite UHC reaping big from the total Sh141.2 billion allocated to the health sector by the Treasury, this is a decrease from the Sh62.3 billion allocated to the programme in the 2022-23 budget.
The allocation had gone from Sh47.7 billion in the 2021-22 budget.
“The Kenya Kwanza administration is committed and determined to realise the constitutional right to health in the shortest time period by delivering a UHC system,” Ndung’u said.
“This entails promoting access to quality and affordable healthcare through the UHC programme,” he added.
According to the budget proposals, Sh3.7 billion will go towards the Covid-19 emergency response project, Sh4.1 billion to free maternity healthcare, and Sh5.9 billion for the controversial Managed Equipment Service project.
A total of Sh1.7 billion will go towards the provision of medical cover for the elderly, and severely disabled in society.
In his Madaraka Day speech, President William Ruto announced plans to ensure the country attains Universal Health Coverage.
Though the plan was announced by Ruto, the national and county governments will collaborate to invest in Community Health Promoters throughout the country.
Ruto said there will be one community health promoter assigned to handle every 100 households and will be tasked with visiting Kenyans at their homes.
Through the visits, they will be able to determine whether any conditions need to be managed through a healthier lifestyle or basic medical attention.
