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The Universal Health Coverage (UHC) pilot program in Kenya was officially launched on December 13, 2018, in Nyeri, Kisumu, Machakos, and Isiolo Counties. These counties were strategically selected based on their unique health challenges: Nyeri County faced a high burden of non-communicable diseases; Kisumu grappled with a high prevalence of infectious diseases like malaria; Machakos dealt with a significant number of injuries from road traffic accidents; and Isiolo had alarming maternal mortality rates.
However, the pilot program encountered substantial difficulties. Only Isiolo and Machakos managed to see the pilot through to its conclusion, albeit with limited success. Kisumu struggled from the onset, while Nyeri eventually terminated the pilot due to financial constraints. The failure to effectively transition this pilot into a fully functional national project, particularly during a time when the world faced one of the most significant health crises in a century, marked a missed opportunity for the Ministry of Health. The lack of a clear timeline for re-implementation leaves citizens in uncertainty, while private entities continue to capitalize on the gaps in the healthcare system.
Kenya continues to face numerous challenges in achieving quality universal healthcare. These include population pressure on limited healthcare resources, the exclusion of critical health programs such as mental health and menstrual health, a shortage of specialists per facility, reduced operational hours of healthcare centers, and low-income levels that limit access to specialist services like cancer treatment, psychiatric care, and dialysis.
COMASI’s Strategic Solutions
In response to these challenges, COMASI is committed to implementing solutions that directly address the gaps in Kenya’s healthcare system:
Establishing Additional Treatment Centers: COMASI aims to build and capacitate more treatment centers across the country, focusing on areas with the greatest need. By partnering with donors and sponsors, we seek to increase the number of healthcare facilities and specialists, thereby reducing the burden on existing centers and improving access to specialized care.
Financial Preparedness for Medical Emergencies: Data from the 2013 Kenya Household Health Expenditure and Utilization Survey (KHHEUS) reveals that the average out-of-pocket spending per hospital admission is approximately Ksh 11,110. However, in 15 percent of admissions, the required spending escalates to Ksh 60,000. The 2015 FinAccess survey found that 64 percent of rural households and 55 percent of urban households would struggle to raise Ksh 2,500 and Ksh 6,000, respectively, within three days in an emergency. COMASI recognizes the dire consequences of such financial unpreparedness. We aim to introduce financial assistance programs and emergency funds to help families cover urgent medical costs, thereby reducing the risk of preventable deaths due to a lack of timely financial support.
Extending Counseling and Psycho-Social Support: COMASI will use its service centers to offer counseling and psycho-social support to those in need. Recognizing that a healthy population is a productive population, we are committed to addressing not only the physical health needs but also the mental and emotional well-being of the population.
COMASI’s initiatives are designed to fill critical voids in Kenya’s healthcare system, ensuring that all citizens have access to affordable and quality healthcare. Through strategic partnerships and a focus on sustainable development, COMASI is dedicated to building a healthier, more resilient Kenya.
COMASI is involved in various programs aimed at
improving community life.
With the support of generous donors and sponsors,
these projects can make a positive impact on the
community.
Get to know what’s happening at Comasi today.
Get to know what’s happening at Comasi today.
