Achieving UHC in Kenya by 2030
Strategic investments in leadership, management, and structural development are necessary for Kenya’s multi-faceted journey towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. To guarantee that all Kenyans may affordably receive vital health services(universal) , I emphasize that the leaders must focus on these areas that can greatly aid in the establishment of a functional social health insurance system.
Firstly, develop focused academic and professional program for health for Managers and Leaders that aims at building skills on the four domains under leadership and management competency framework
Effects on Healthcare Insurance Programs: Healthcare managers must participate in training programs to acquire the knowledge and abilities necessary to effectively manage healthcare resources, including monetary contributions to the social health insurance system. The long-term viability of UHC depends on the efficient and open allocation of resources not just at policy level but also operations and strategic levels. To make healthcare more accessible and dependable for insured consumers, well-trained managers can develop policies that improve service delivery. This is how social health insurance benefits go to the people who need them.
Secondly, Capacity Building and enhancement: Healthcare leadership development is greatly enhanced by coaching and mentorship programs. Work with each healthcare manager to ensure they are supported all through to keep some level of standards. Participation in these programs equips leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to understand and advocate for changes to social health insurance systems. Keeping up with the latest best practices is essential for healthcare executives, and CPD programs make sure they do just that. This leads to sustainable procedures. The effectiveness and longevity of the social health insurance system can be improved by incorporating these strategies.
Thirdly, the influence of structural development on social health insurance includes the following:
- Well-defined management structures, which are critical for establishing social health insurance system-wide duties and obligations. Better healthcare results are the result of less inefficiency and better coordination.
- Better Resource Allocation: With the right framework in place, money can be more efficiently sent to the places that need it the most. Access to and quality of healthcare are both enhanced by this.
- Enhancements to the System
Fourthly, decisions driven by Data: Better decision-making is possible through improved data collection and utilization. Achieving UHC is dependent on a population-based social health insurance system that is both flexible and responsive. We must get our numbers right. Let us know how much we can raise and how much government is putting in UHC. Lets be clear about how much it cost to provide basic but quality services in public versus private. And more importantly lets get to invest in the right healthcare service.
People are more likely to have faith in the social health insurance system if its administrators uphold national ideals and ethical standards. More people will enlist and contribute if they trust the system more, which will strengthen the system overall.
Finaly, Teamwork and Cooperation and trusted leadership. Access to specialized knowledge and experience from around the world, which may be used to refine and enhance the current system. Accelerating progress towards UHC can be achieved by learning from global experiences. Let’s get to benchmark with NHS and see why it works. Let’s hire these expats here! Let’s lead and lead wisely. Partnerships can fill in financing and infrastructure gaps by sharing resources and offering extra support. The social health insurance system can be strengthened and expanded through joint endeavors.
In summary,
Kenya can achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030 if it focuses on these areas. Initiations like HeSMA and Wired4Ex, which provide capacity development programs, can help put in place a social health insurance system that actually works. In line with the overarching objective of UHC, this will make sure that everyone may affordably access the healthcare they need.
@ HeSMA 2025
The authors are facilitators at Wired4Ex and faculty in Healthcare leadership and management