Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary, has urged Kenyans to finance their healthcare themselves as reliance on foreign aid for Universal Health Coverage declines. He advocated for sustainable local healthcare funding and cautioned against politicizing health issues. His remarks came during the funeral service for Senator William Cheptumo, where he lauded Cheptumo’s contributions to leadership and community service.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called upon Kenyans to take charge of financing the nation’s healthcare as international support diminishes. He emphasized that reliance on foreign donors to maintain Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is no longer viable, urging both leaders and citizens to collaborate in enhancing local healthcare funding mechanisms to ensure that medical services are affordable and accessible to all.
During remarks made at the funeral service for the late Senator William Cheptumo in Baringo County, Mudavadi reminisced about his recent discussions in Geneva with the Global Fund, highlighting critical roles these partnerships play in health financing. He noted that although President William Ruto secured $28 billion last year for Kenya’s health sector, current expectations now demand the nation to proactively manage its healthcare financing without waiting for external assistance.
Mudavadi pointed out that the global community is urging Kenya to independently care for its sick rather than relying on aid. He stated, “The world is telling us to take care of our own sick and not to wait for external aid.” He insisted on the importance of identifying and addressing gaps within the healthcare system with sustainable approaches rather than waiting for funds from abroad.
Additionally, he stressed the significance of UHC for national development and urged leaders to prioritize citizens’ health over political ambitions. Mudavadi stated, “We can do politics with other things, but let us not do politics with the health of our people,” reinforcing the idea that access to quality healthcare is a collective responsibility.
During the funeral service, Mudavadi paid tribute to Senator Cheptumo, lauding his integrity and humility, and noting his commitment to serving Baringo County. He remarked that Cheptumo represented resilience, humility, and faith, emphasizing that his legacy will be remembered. The service also saw attendance from notable leaders, including Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who gathered to honor the late senator’s contributions to the nation.
In conclusion, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has urged Kenyans to take proactive steps to finance their healthcare as foreign aid declines, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions and collective responsibility. He has also highlighted the importance of UHC for national progress while cautioning against the politicization of health issues. This call to action reflects the changing dynamics in global health funding, and the need for Kenya to self-finance its healthcare system.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
