Nurses leaders in Kenya, on Friday, pledged support for the rollout of Social Health Authority (SHA) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
This was disclosed after a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa.
Recall that on September 18, 2024, Dr. Barasa announced the official launching of SHA to begin on October 1st, 2024 for sole aim of replacing the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), targeting to provide affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare services to all Kenyans.
She added that it will aid in advancing UHC, which aims to grant quality healthcare services to all people, when and where they need them, without financial hardship.
During their visitation, the health leaders highlighted their roles in health reform, describing them as critical roles while emphasising the need to include their leadership roles and empanelment in SHA packages.
Among other needs are representation in health committees and involvement in streamlining the nurse migration process for overseas placements.
Delegations present include Dr. Judith Awinja, Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services at Afya House; Prof. Eunice Ndirangu, Chair of the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK); Dr. Lister Onsongo, CEO of NCK; and Collins Ajwang’, President of the National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNAK).
Other representatives are Catherine Mwaura, Representative of Mid-level Training Institutions; Dr. Albanas Mutisya, Universities Representative; Seth Panyako, Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Nurses; and Rahel Mukhwana, Director of Nursing Services at Kenyatta National Hospital.
