Cs health rallies nurses and midwives to lead uhc and sha implementation

The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, held a strategic engagement with representatives of nurses and midwives, led by Dr. Judith Awinja, Head of Nursing and Midwifery Services at the Ministry of Health. This vital meeting focused on Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) implementation, with nurses and midwives, who make up more than 70% of the country’s health workforce, central to the discussion.

During the engagement, the CS highlighted the indispensable role nurses and midwives play in bridging the gap between policy and people, building trust within communities, mobilizing resources, and uplifting families. These efforts are critical to driving the UHC agenda forward.

The CS provided an in-depth update on the Social Health Authority (SHA) packages, which encompass maternity care, emergency services, chronic illness management, and palliative care. Nurses and midwives will play an essential role in the rollout, implementation, and ensuring the impact of these packages at the community level.

He urged the team to take the lead in championing SHA registration and sensitizing communities about its importance. In addition, he reaffirmed the government’s continued investment in the training of nurses, equipping health facilities, and involving them in the development of national health strategies. This includes the recent deployment of the electronic Community Health Information Systems (eCHIS) and the upcoming integration of frontline voices, particularly nurses, into the national Artificial Intelligence in Health strategy.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Ms. Mary Muthoni, Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, and the Ministry’s Secretary Administration Mr. Adan Harakhe.