By: Zainab Faraj
A robust healthcare system does not solely rely on well-designed structures but also on sustainable financial systems that ensure adequate resources are equitably utilized. Universal Health Care (UHC) hinges on the principle that all individuals should access quality health services without enduring financial hardship. However, achieving this ideal remains elusive, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that nearly one billion people globally lack access to essential healthcare services.
In Kenya, where access to healthcare is enshrined as a constitutional right, millions still face significant barriers to affordable treatment in both public and private facilities. This includes individuals with Social Health Authority (SHA). These barriers perpetuate social inequalities, hinder economic growth, and undermine societal progress.
Despite the Kenyan government securing significant loans from institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the tangible benefits to citizens remain unclear. How has this influx of funds improved the healthcare system? A glaring disconnect exists between financial investment and meaningful outcomes. Citizens increasingly rely on fundraising initiatives to cover treatment costs. While urban populations may navigate social media and networks to mobilize support, rural communities remain largely excluded due to lack of access to technology, knowledge, or government connections.
This trend highlights a systemic failure to address healthcare access equitably across the country. It raises critical questions about the effectiveness of governance, resource allocation, and implementation. Why can’t these funds be utilized to build a resilient health system that prioritizes equitable access to affordable, quality care?
Politics remains a central driver of change in Kenya. Every year, nearly one million Kenyans fall below the poverty line due to healthcare-related expenses. Expanding healthcare access can alleviate this economic burden. However, this cannot happen without meaningful citizen engagement and social accountability.
Citizen participation is critical in holding governments accountable and bridging the gap between public demand and government action. Yet, many Kenyans remain disempowered, unable to trigger recognition or action from their leaders. The lack of effective mechanisms for citizen engagement undermines the potential for transformative change in healthcare.
Empowering citizens to demand action and fostering accountability at all levels of government are crucial. Social accountability involves more than transparency—it requires the government to actively respond to public needs. While transparency provides the data and tools to assess government performance, it is accountability that ensures action and results.
Moving from transparency to accountability necessitates a coordinated approach. Transparency alone—whether in government expenditure, public health statistics, or policy announcements—does not ensure outcomes. Accountability requires the government to act on the commitments it makes.
To achieve this, Kenya must adopt measures that use Data to Drive Accountability: Leverage data to monitor national commitments and hold leaders accountable for meeting them. Two adapt to Local Contexts,Tailor health interventions to address the unique cultural values, social norms, and governance challenges of each county and Promote Inclusive Engagement create platforms for citizen participation, especially for marginalized communities, to ensure their voices are heard.
Foster Equity in Healthcare Access prioritizes policies that reduce disparities between rural and urban populations in accessing healthcare. Strengthen Political Accountability ensures that political leaders deliver on promises to improve healthcare systems and services.
Ultimately, achieving universal healthcare in Kenya will require shifting from rhetoric to actionable accountability. Empowered citizens, transparent governance, and responsive leadership must work in tandem to close the gap between aspiration and reality. Only then can Kenya build a healthcare system that serves all its people equitably and sustainably.