Nairobi Governor appoints seven-member taskforce to review health sector

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has appointed a seven-member taskforce to review and propose reforms in the county's health sector.

The team, chaired by former Kenyatta University vice-chancellor Prof Olive Mugenda, has 45 days to review access to quality health services, assess the status of all public health facilities and review supply chain management of medical products.

The county under Nairobi Metropolitan Services NMS has 28 hospitals, especially in slums to help residents in informal settlements and discourage the over-reliance of the Kenyatta National Hospital.

The Taskforce may, as needed, co-opt persons to advise or provide assistance on any area the Taskforce may consider necessary, according to a statement by Sakaja.

The taskforce will assess health information management status and propose interventions to achieve it, as well as review current human resource capacity and assess gaps, among other issues, according to Mr Sakaja.

Other members of the task force are Dr Anastacia Nyalita, Dr Githinji Gitahi, Dr Dorcas Kemunto, Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Mercy Mwangangi, founder of St Mary's Hospitals Dr William Charles Fryda and Dr Karei Mwenda.

The team will also look at and propose an efficient health financing model. Before he retired, President Kenyatta ordered 14 Level 2 and 3 hospitals to cater to the needs of residents in the informal sector, including Gichagi in Kangemi, Mukuru Kwa Reuben, Tassia Kwa Ndege and Our Lady of Nazareth in Mukuru Kwa Njenga.

Mr Kenyatta also commissioned Mathare-Korogocho Level 5 Hospital, which was renamed Mama Margaret Kenyatta Hospital.

Even though they were launched, there have been complaints that the hospitals don't have the necessary facilities, personnel and drugs.