Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto has called on county governors to intensify efforts in delivering Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
He stressed that effective leadership, not a lack of resources, is the key to the programme’s success.
Speaking Wednesday during a tour of the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa, the Ruto took the opportunity to praise Governor Abdulswamad Nassir for positioning the county as a national leader in health insurance registration.
“I want to congratulate the governor of Mombasa, my friend Abdulswamad Nassir,” he said.
“When the history of universal health coverage is written in Kenya, you will have a chapter, because you have recognised the opportunity to make health a right for every citizen, not a privilege for those who can afford it.”
According to the Head of State, Mombasa has enrolled nearly 800,000 residents under the Social Health Authority (SHA), representing 69 per cent of its population, the highest rate in the country.
He regretted that there were some counties who only reached just 20 per cent enrollment.
“This is not about individuals; it is about Kenyans,” Ruto asserted.
“The problem in our country has never been resources, it has always been leadership and planning.”
He highlighted Mombasa’s progress as the result of deliberate and focused leadership.
“Mombasa did not just happen.It was intentional, halafu kuna county zingine kwa Kenya hii na kuna kiongozi (Governor) na iko na 20 per cent, mnaona tofauti ya viongozi? he posed.
“The same country, same programme, and same plan, but very different results.”
President Ruto revealed that Mombasa has received Sh 1.5 billion through the SHA, Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and Primary Health Care (PHC) funds.
These resources, he noted, have enabled the county to recruit medical staff, procure essential medicines, and expand health facilities.
“That is the power of leadership,” he said, urging other county leaders to emulate Mombasa’s approach.
The President further noted that ongoing national health reforms have significantly expanded insurance coverage, from 7 million Kenyans under the now-defunct NHIF to over 26 million currently enrolled under SHA, with tens of thousands being added daily.
“Mombasa is proof that universal health coverage is not just a dream, it is achievable. But governors must step up. This is about Kenyans, about all of us. And history will judge us by what we do now,” he stated.
Earlier in the day, President Ruto officiated the opening of the Mombasa Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Show, where he reaffirmed that UHC remains central to his administration’s development agenda.
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