KEHPHPU address to President Ruto

(KEHPHPU) The Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union has issued an urgent appeal to President William Ruto’s administration to prioritize preventive and promotive healthcare through increased investment and strategic reforms.

KEHPHPU Secretary-General Hon. Brown Ashira Olaly, the union commended the government for its progressive legislative achievements in 2023, including the Primary Health Care Act, Digital Health Act, Facility Improvement and Financing Act, and the Social Health Insurance Act. These developments, coupled with the establishment of Primary Health Care Networks, represent positive steps toward a robust healthcare system.

However, the union highlighted significant challenges affecting Kenya’s health sector, particularly in the realm of preventive health services. It expressed concern over the persistent underfunding and neglect of preventive healthcare, citing the disproportionate allocation of resources to curative services. Out of the KES 140 billion allocated to healthcare in the last financial year, a vast majority went to curative programs, leaving minimal support for preventive health.

The union raised alarms about the growing burden of preventable diseases such as cholera, foodborne illnesses, respiratory complications from asbestos exposure, and the health effects of climate change, including prolonged droughts and flooding. These issues have been exacerbated by insufficient preventive measures, exposing millions of Kenyans to avoidable health risks.

KEHPHPU also pointed to the dire human resource gaps in the public health sector. Points of Entry (POEs), seaports, and border crossings remain understaffed, exposing the country to international health threats. Public Health Officers (PHOs) and technicians, despite playing a crucial role in epidemic response and climate-related challenges, continue to work under harsh conditions with limited support. The situation is further strained by the lack of sufficient recruitment, even as thousands of public health professionals remain unemployed or underutilized.

The union criticized the skewed resource allocation, emphasizing the need for equitable investment in preventive healthcare. It called on the government to allocate a substantial portion of health expenditure to public health initiatives, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). KEHPHPU proposed the establishment of public health laboratories in every county to monitor food, water, and soil quality and to address public health hazards such as aflatoxins and food contamination.

KEHPHPU underscored the need to restructure the Public Health Council to align its regulations with Kenya’s current constitutional framework and to ensure a centralized, coordinated fight against preventable diseases. Additionally, the union advocated for the integration of public health professionals across ministries, including the Ministry of Education to oversee school health programs and the Ministry of Environment to manage waste and environmental health programs.

The union also recommended the reconstitution of the Social Health Authority (SHA) board to include representatives from preventive and promotive health sectors. This would ensure a balanced approach to healthcare financing and decision-making. Furthermore, KEHPHPU called on the government to formally appoint a public health officer to the State Advisory Team to provide expert guidance on preventive health matters.

The union also reiterated the importance of prevention over cure, emphasizing the economic and societal benefits of investing in preventive healthcare. It urged the government to provide adequate supervision and support for the 100,000 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) by increasing the number of PHOs at the community level.