Governor Bii and CS Dr. Debra Mlongo Champion Healthcare Access at Burnt Forest Hospital
Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii Chelilim on Friday morning hosted the Cabinet Secretary for Health Services, Dr. Debra Mlongo, for a significant sensitization exercise aimed at promoting the Social Health Authority (SHA) at Burnt Forest Sub-County Hospital. The event underscored the County’s unwavering commitment to enhancing healthcare access and improving the quality of services for its residents, as part of the broader Taifa Care initiative, which seeks to extend affordable healthcare to all Kenyans.
This marks a pivotal step in Uasin Gishu County’s ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and accessible healthcare system, particularly for vulnerable populations. Dr. Mulongo’s visit highlighted her ministry’s support for the SHA program, which aims to ensure that health services across the country are both accessible and financially sustainable for all citizens, regardless of their income.
Transforming Burnt Forest into a Trauma Center
During the event, Dr. Mulongo took a detailed tour of the Burnt Forest Sub-County Hospital, inspecting its newly upgraded Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Units (HDU). These departments are crucial to handling critical cases, especially in a county that experiences a high volume of traffic accidents, making the development of such facilities a priority.
The Cabinet Secretary expressed her satisfaction with the hospital’s current progress, announcing plans to further develop Burnt Forest Hospital into a regional trauma center. “Burnt Forest’s strategic location along a major traffic line makes it an ideal candidate to become a trauma center,” Dr. Mulongo stated. “The hospital is already well-equipped to handle emergency and critical care, and with further improvements, it can serve as a key medical resource for the region.”
She also took the opportunity to commend the community for its engagement with the SHA program, particularly highlighting the mothers who had registered and received essential services under the program. “I am particularly impressed by the mothers I have met today. Their enthusiasm for registering with SHA and receiving vital healthcare services reflects a growing awareness of the program’s benefits,” Dr. Mulongo remarked.
SHA: A Game Changer for Healthcare Financing
One of the main focal points of the sensitization event was educating the public on the newly introduced health financing model under the Social Health Authority. The model is designed to ensure that healthcare facilities offering registered services are compensated for the care they provide. This approach aims to relieve the financial burden on both healthcare providers and patients, making essential health services more accessible to the public.
Dr. Mulongo emphasized that the introduction of SHA will significantly improve the efficiency and sustainability of health financing. “Burnt Forest Sub-County Hospital has already received Ksh. 2.5 million through this model, and more facilities across the county will benefit from similar financial support,” she noted, highlighting the direct financial assistance being channeled to local hospitals.
She further explained that the SHA would streamline claims processing for hospitals, ensuring that healthcare providers are reimbursed for the services they offer, thus encouraging more facilities to register under the program. This financial support would also extend to facilities in rural and remote areas, where access to quality health services has traditionally been limited.
Government’s Commitment to Vulnerable Populations
In line with the government’s broader social health objectives, Dr. Mulongo reassured the residents of Uasin Gishu that the government would continue to facilitate the payment of health premiums for vulnerable individuals. This initiative is part of the government’s commitment to addressing healthcare disparities by ensuring that indigent populations receive the necessary care, free of charge or at a subsidized rate.
“One of the key principles of the SHA program is that it guarantees health services to vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and individuals with disabilities. The government will continue to facilitate premium payments for these vulnerable groups to ensure that no one is left behind in accessing essential healthcare services,” Dr. Mulongo affirmed.
The support for the vulnerable aligns with the national government’s broader vision of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, a goal that the Cabinet Secretary emphasized in her address.
Governor Dr. Bii: SHA Is Key to Inclusive Healthcare
Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii, who is a strong advocate for healthcare reforms in Uasin Gishu, delivered a passionate speech underscoring the significance of SHA in creating a more inclusive healthcare system. He reaffirmed that healthcare remains a top priority for his administration, and that the county is committed to expanding health access for all its residents.
“SHA is critical because it ensures that all people, regardless of their background or economic status, are able to access quality health services,” Governor Bii said. “Health is a top priority in my administration, and I want to reaffirm that this initiative is essential for creating a more equitable healthcare system.”
Governor Bii went on to share the positive impact that SHA is already having on the people of Burnt Forest. He pointed out that there has been a noticeable increase in the number of individuals registering for SHA services, with many locals eager to engage with the program.
“The turnout for SHA registration has been fantastic. The people of Burnt Forest are beginning to understand the value of this program, and they are ready to participate fully in improving their health outcomes,” Governor Bii stated. “This is a significant milestone for the community, and it marks the beginning of a new era for healthcare in this region.”
Strengthening Partnerships for Better Healthcare
Both leaders emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between national and county governments in strengthening the healthcare system. Dr. Mulongo noted that the success of SHA depends not only on government funding but also on the active participation of local communities, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders. She stressed that a unified approach to healthcare delivery would be essential in meeting the diverse needs of Kenya’s population.
“Healthcare is a shared responsibility, and I commend the Governor and the people of Uasin Gishu for their proactive approach in embracing this transformative program,” Dr. Mulongo said.
Governor Bii echoed the sentiment, calling for a continued partnership between the national government, local authorities, and healthcare providers to ensure that the healthcare system is inclusive, efficient, and sustainable.
Looking Ahead: A Healthier Future for Uasin Gishu
The visit concluded with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to improving the healthcare system in Uasin Gishu, with a specific focus on expanding the reach of SHA and ensuring that no one is excluded from receiving quality health services. As part of the national government’s pledge to ensure universal health coverage by 2030, the SHA initiative will continue to play a critical role in making healthcare services more accessible and affordable for all residents.
For Governor Dr. Bii, the SHA initiative is not just a health program; it is a commitment to the well-being of the people of Uasin Gishu. “We are determined to build a healthcare system that is inclusive, accessible, and equitable. This is just the beginning, and we are confident that the future of healthcare in Uasin Gishu looks brighter than ever,” Governor Bii concluded.
As the year draws to a close, the people of Uasin Gishu, and especially those in Burnt Forest, can look forward to improved healthcare services, greater access to life-saving treatments, and continued collaboration between national and county governments to foster a healthier, more prosperous community.
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