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{
    "id": 1521215,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1521215/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 96,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Endebess, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Robert Pukose",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "the county debts amounting to Ksh3.5 billion, with more than Ksh2.7 billion being over 90 days old. The counties work with KEMSA to generate forecasts on what should be stocked at the Authority. However, the counties opt to buy elsewhere when it comes to procurement. The Committee will hold a meeting with KEMSA to develop a way forward. We intend to improve HPD availability by recapitalising KEMSA with a budget allocation of up to Ksh5 billion to replenish deteriorating capital and break the various cycles of debt, pending bills, and low order fill rates. The National Treasury has so far allocated Ksh1.5 billion to be factored in the Second Supplementary Budget. That will boost the availability of essential health products and technologies for Universal Health Coverage. Additionally, the Authority is engaging the county governments to pay long-term outstanding bills currently standing at Ksh3.5 billion. In a report on the public participation conducted before and after the roll-out of the SHA, the Ministry placed advertisements in the print media on 28th November 2023, and the regulations were also developed and posted on official websites. The analysis of the views and submissions expressed during the consultations and engagements indicated that the principal regulations, particularly the benefits package in the principal regulations, amended regulations and tariffs for health services will facilitate the realisation of Universal Health Coverage in the country. The principal regulations have provided a clear framework for reviewing the tariffs for healthcare services and benefits packages offered by the Social Health Authority under the Primary Health Care Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund. On concerns that the SHA branches cannot adequately address customer challenges at the local level due to connectivity and system hitches, the system availability currently stands at 98.2 per cent as of 7th February 2025 at 12.38 a.m. Digital health agencies are working hard to stabilise the system to meet the targeted 99.99 per cent availability. The system configuration is ongoing to address those challenges, with a completion target by the end of February 2025. The agency is also fast-tracking the integration of existing hospital management information systems and claims management systems to further enhance efficiency in operations. That will improve system availability and experience for Kenyans. On concerns regarding poor public communication, the SHA is employing the following strategies: 1. Collaboration and partnership with other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to carry out public education and awareness. 2. Enhanced use of soft, as opposed to hard information education and communication materials. 3. Leveraging the SHA branches' network and Huduma Centres for service delivery. 4. Partnership and support from development partners. 5. Working closely with grassroots leaders, including the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), for enhanced communication, awareness and registration. 6. Use of alternative media, including social media, to reach a wide spectrum of the population. Regarding inadequate service delivery under the SHA, I will table the SHA benefits package and tariffs so that Members can go through them. On strategies that the Ministry is implementing to ensure disadvantaged groups are fully covered under the SHA, identification of indigent populations through proxy means testing as required by the SHA Regulation 19 is ongoing. The government budget allocation towards that endeavour will also be a boost to ensure that indigent populations are well cared for. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}