Latest news with #PatrickAmoth
Zawya
05-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Commodity Security at the Core of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Delivery, Says Principal Secretary (PS) Medical Services
Commodity security is a cornerstone of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga has said, calling for renewed leadership, innovation, and alignment in the management of Health Products and Technologies (HPTs). Speaking during a strategic meeting with the Directorate of Health Products and Technologies, the Principal Secretary emphasized the urgency of building resilient systems to secure access to essential medical products. 'Health Products and Technologies management and local manufacturing are key,' she said. 'Our experience with centrally managed commodities—such as cancer drugs and COVID-19 supplies—has shown us the need for long-term sustainability.' The PS urged the Directorate to align its operations with the Ministry of Health's mandate and national priorities, emphasizing the need for product safety, quality assurance, and reliable access. 'Provide firm leadership. Ensure the safety of HPTs—let the industry have confidence that our products are safe,' he stated. He further challenged the Directorate to tackle recurring stockouts—especially of vaccines and essential medicines—while eliminating substandard products. 'We must ensure consistent access to vaccines and essential medicines. This is about restoring public trust and delivering real outcomes.' Calling for innovation, discipline, and measurable impact, the PS noted that upcoming budgetary reforms will be tied to results. 'Roll up your sleeves and work. Invest resources where we see real impact—not where there's no movement. Parliament and all partners are watching. To whom much is given, much is expected.' The meeting brought together key divisions under the Directorate—including Quality Assurance, HPTs, and Traditional and Alternative Medicine—to evaluate progress and refine strategic priorities. These include: Promoting local pharmaceutical manufacturing; Strengthening national supply chain policy; Updating clinical guidance and Reviewing the Kenya National Pharmaceutical Policy To support these priorities, the Ministry is finalizing four strategic frameworks: Local Manufacturing Strategy; National Supply Chain Strategy; Health Product Donations Strategy and Pharmacy Benefits Package Dissemination of the updated Essential Medicines List is ongoing. A major recent milestone includes the development of National Oxygen Delivery Guidelines, enhancing access to life-saving respiratory care. Looking ahead, the Ministry is scaling up its focus on research and regulation of traditional medicine. A draft policy and bill on Traditional and Alternative Medicine are currently under review to guide safe integration into the healthcare system. The meeting was attended by Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, Head of Directorate Dr. Tom Menge, and other senior officials. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.
Zawya
11-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Ministry of Health Reaffirms Commitment to Child Health at Kenya Paediatric Association Conference
The Ministry of Health has reaffirmed its strong commitment to advancing child health in Kenya. Speaking during the opening of the Kenya Paediatric Association (KPA) Annual Scientific Conference in Mombasa, the Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, called for stronger collaboration, innovation, and sustained investment in maternal and child health. Under the theme 'Shaping the Future: Collaborative Approaches to Child Health and Development,' Dr. Amoth underscored the urgency of addressing ongoing challenges. He noted that while progress has been made, Kenya continues to grapple with unacceptably high mortality rates. Neonatal mortality stands at 21 per 1,000 live births, infant mortality at 32 per 1,000, under-five mortality at 41 per 1,000, while maternal mortality remains high at 355 per 100,000 live births. 'These numbers are not just statistics; they represent real lives,' he said. 'We must renew our commitment to ensuring that no mother or child is left behind.' Dr. Amoth highlighted the Ministry's key priorities, including scaling up preventive interventions, ensuring skilled care during childbirth, improving access to essential services, and tackling the leading causes of child deaths such as malnutrition, malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea. He applauded the gains made under the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) program, a Ministry-led initiative aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3, which seeks to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths. Acknowledging global funding constraints, he appealed to development partners, the private sector, and local communities to strengthen their support for child health efforts. He stressed that child health is not solely a health sector issue but a national concern that requires a multisectoral approach. A key highlight of his remarks was the Ministry's ongoing rollout of Social Health Insurance (SHI), which aims to eliminate financial barriers to care and ensure equitable access to services, particularly for vulnerable populations. 'SHI is not just a policy shift; it is a national commitment to put people—especially our most vulnerable—at the center of healthcare,' he stated. Dr. Amoth urged healthcare professionals to lead with renewed energy and innovation to accelerate progress in newborn and maternal outcomes. He emphasized the critical role of the Kenya Paediatric Association in shaping systems that truly protect and empower children under the new health financing framework. As the conference continues, the Ministry of Health reaffirmed its dedication to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure every child in Kenya has a healthy start and a hopeful future. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.
Zawya
29-01-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Kenya: Government Strengthens Healthcare Regulations to Improve Patient Access to Specialized Services
The Ministry of Health is streamlining the empanelment and preauthorization process for specialist healthcare services to enhance access and efficiency under the Social Health Authority (SHA). Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, noted that the Ministry, in consultation with regulatory bodies, is optimizing the approval process for specialized medical procedures to ensure patients receive timely care without unnecessary administrative delays. 'We are aligning specialist approvals with the Scopes of Practice defined by the Ministry, ensuring that only qualified specialists in recognized specialties authorize necessary medical interventions. This will improve efficiency while maintaining accountability in healthcare service provision,' said Dr. Amoth during a media briefing today. Additionally, the Ministry is developing a Quality of Care Policy and Bill, aimed at strengthening healthcare regulations and enhancing standards for patient safety and service delivery. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.
