The Universal Health Care (UHC) is determined to build resilience for a responsive health care system, which will create synergy in accelerating UHC achievements across Kakamega County.

According to the County Director for Public Health Dr. William Olaka, this will be based on four paradigm shift that will address Primary Health Care in its current state that has curative approach, non-comprehensive services, fragmented primary health care and non-sustainable financial support.

Dr. Olaka urged stakeholders and Members of County Assembly (MCAs) to support more funding insisting that Health financing is a core function of health systems that will enable progress towards universal health coverage by improving effective service delivery and protection.

“Efficiency in utilization of the budget allocation by health facilities and institutions could be improved through increasing expertise and therefore primary care is the first point of contact with health services and provides a point of entry for the entire health system,” remarked the Olaka.

His sentiments were echoed by Dr. Rachel Moindi, a Family Physician from Kisumu County who had been deployed to Cuba to improve provision of universal healthcare to her citizens.

He was speaking during a sensitization meeting at a Kakamega hotel that brought together county legislators (MCAs), stakeholders and other partners across the county.

The meeting was meant to advocate support for policy formulation and help in monitoring and evaluation in the ministries’ planned activities.

According to an expert Dr. Moses Sego, the policy’s commitment is to progressively facilitate access to services by all. This is by ensuring social and financial risk protection through adequate mobilization, allocation, and efficient utilization of financial resources for health service delivery.

Ms Carolyne Akinyi, a representative from Amref Kenya added that as a partner they are committed to ensure full support in additional funding and set up technical support.

Hon. Gladys Omukongolo, the Chairperson to the Committee on Health Services praised the team for their efforts undertaken to ensure members and stakeholders are enlightened on matters Primary Health Care as a way of steering the Governor’s manifesto on health matters in the county.

“As a committee, we will ensure that more resources are allocated in the budget in order to improve and expand on service delivery to wananchi,” said Omukongolo.

The meeting was also attended by officials from Kenya Medical and Training College (KMTC), Amref and Breakthrough Action.