Health is a dynamic process. It keeps on changing as we change our lifestyle, our routine and our thoughts. Living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent the risk of acquisition of chronic diseases and long-term illness thus the existence of health care professionals to assist in one’s well-being.
Kenya has made significant efforts in improving it’s health care system over the years. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is the main government body responsible for the regulation and coordination of the health care system in the country. In this article, we will explore the health services in the country, their strengths and also, weaknesses. Health services refer to the range of activities and programs designed to promote, maintain and restore health. These services are provided by healthcare professionals in various settings, such as hospitals, clinics, community health centers, nursing homes, and home care agencies. Some examples of health services include:
Primary care: This includes routine check-ups, preventive care, and treatment for common illnesses and injuries. Primary care providers may include family doctors, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
Specialized care: This includes care for specific health conditions or diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and mental illness. Specialized care providers may include oncologists, cardiologists, and psychiatrists.
Emergency care: This includes care for sudden and life-threatening conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, and trauma. Emergency care providers may include emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and emergency room physicians and nurses.
Rehabilitation services: This includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to help people recover from injuries or illnesses.
Home based care: This includes healthcare services provided in a person’s home, such as nursing care, rehabilitation, and assistance with daily activities.
Hospice and palliative care: This include care for people who are terminally ill, focusing on pain relief, symptom management, and emotional support for the patient and their family.
The health care system in Kenya also offer other specialized services such as mental health, HIV/AIDs treatment and prevention, maternal care. The ministry works closely with other stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations, to improve healthcare services in the country.
Health infrastructure.
Kenya has a relatively well-developed healthcare infrastructure, with a network of public and private hospitals, clinics, and health centers The country has a total of 595 hospitals, with 14 national referral hospitals, 30 county referral hospitals, and 551 other hospitals. There are also over 9,000 health centers and dispensaries across the country.
Various implementations have been made to ensure citizens get better health services.
These include:
a) Improvement of healthcare infrastructure: The government has made significant investments in healthcare infrastructure, including the construction of new hospitals and clinics and the upgrade of existing facilities to ensure sufficient delivery of services.
b) Universal Health Coverage (UHC): The government has launched the UHC program to provide affordable and quality healthcare to all Kenyans.
c)Digital Health: The government has invested in digital health technologies, such as electronic medical records, telemedicine, and mobile health, to improve access to healthcare services.
d)Private sector participation: The private sector has been actively involved in the provision of healthcare services, with private hospitals and clinics offering quality services and facilities.
Despite the progress made, the healthcare system in Kenya still faces several challenges, including:
–Limited funding: The healthcare sector is severely underfunded, with the government allocating only 6% of the national budget to healthcare.
–Inadequate staffing: The healthcare system suffers from a shortage of healthcare workers, with a doctor-patient ratio of 1:16,000 and a nurse-patient ratio of 1:5,000.
–Inequitable distribution of healthcare facilities.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) framework of health system building blocks, health services delivery is considered to function well when equitable access to a comprehensive range of high-quality health services is ensured within an integrated and person-centered continuum of care. In conclusion, health services are essential for maintaining and improving the health of individuals.
OPONDO BELDINE
GEOSPATIAL ENGINEERING