PS Ouma: Domestic Resources, Technology Key to Achieving UHC

𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐲, 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 - 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, has urged greater self-reliance in Kenya’s health system, anchored on mobilizing domestic resources to finance the Social Health Authority (SHA), strengthening the health workforce, ensuring the availability of health products and technologies (HPTs), and advancing digitalization.

Speaking at the Devolution Conference side event “Health and Technology: Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC)” in Homa Bay, Dr. Oluga stressed that SHA is not merely about contributions or policy frameworks, but a necessity. “We must mobilize domestic resources to be enablers of healthcare delivery,” he said.

He underscored the importance of capacity building in the health workforce, improving digital literacy, and investing in local manufacturing. He further challenged stakeholders to explore how technology can be harnessed for local production and to ensure lasting universal access through digitalization.

“Technology is not everything, but when systems are aligned, it becomes the driver of efficiency,” Dr. Oluga noted, adding that the government is building an integrated system to deliver Universal Health Coverage with equity for all Kenyans.