CEO ADVOCATES WORKFORCE SKILLING AT HEALTH SECTOR INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONSULTATIVE FORUM
The CEO, Dr. Kelly Oluoch, o December 10, 2024, participated in a high-level panel discussion on Human Resources for Health during the 22nd Health Sector Intergovernmental Consultative Forum held in Nairobi.
The meeting brought together senior National and County Government officials, including Health CS Dr. Deborah Barasa; PS State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni; PS, State Department of Devolution Teressia Mbaika; Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) Chair Dr. Githinji Kiragua, key public and private health sector stakeholders alongside development partners.
The commitment to enhancing Primary Health Care remained a top priority, with a focus on establishing Primary Health Care Networks to bridge the existing gap. Recognizing the critical role of digital transformation in healthcare, the Ministry of Health outlined a strategic roadmap to connect health facilities to electricity and internet services, facilitating the activation of the Health Information Exchange for seamless data sharing.
In the spirit of partnerships and coordinated healthcare delivery, it was resolved that the Ministry of Health will lead a review of the Health Sector Partnerships and Coordination Framework. This initiative aims to optimize stakeholder engagement, streamline funding mechanisms, and enhance intergovernmental collaboration. These measures are instrumental in ensuring the successful implementation of health reforms and driving sustainable progress toward Universal Health Coverage.
The forum was officially opened by Principal Secretary in the State Department for Devolution, Ms. Teresia Mbaika.
Ms. Mbaika urged the forum to embrace the Social Health Authority (SHA) model, citing its potential to enhance healthcare delivery for Kenyans. “Collaboration between national and county governments remains vital in achieving affordable and accessible healthcare for all,” she said.
Addressing the critical issue of workforce skilling amidst dwindling funding, Dr. Oluoch offered actionable recommendations drawn from KMTC’s strategic approach.
“At KMTC, we have consistently allocated 2% of our annual budget towards training staff. This commitment has enabled us to maintain a pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals who continue to serve the nation,” Dr. Oluoch noted.
He also emphasized the College’s adoption of technology to support blended learning, a solution he encouraged County Governments to explore for upskilling their healthcare workforce.
“Blended learning allows learners to advance their education without disrupting their duties. Counties can enroll their staff with us, allowing them to continue working while attending online sessions. Practical learning, which requires physical presence, can then be scheduled accordingly,” he explained.
The two-day event served as a critical platform for deliberating innovative solutions to address emerging challenges in the healthcare sector, including workforce development and sustainable funding models.
