Use the Browser BACK button to return to listings

Nairobi, March 31 , 2006

President Mwai Kibaki cuts the tape to officially open the Karen Hospital, Nairobi.

President Mwai Kibaki today said the Government has taken specific and systematic measures to combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

He said the Government has distributed over 3 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets, pointing out that the nets were issued free to pregnant women and babies in all health facilities in the country.

The President added that this year the Government is providing improved and long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, saying already 200,000 nets have been distributed countrywide.

President Kibaki said a further consignment of 3.4 million nets is expected in the country by June and will be distributed at a minimal cost.

The President was speaking when he officially opened the 102-bed ultra-modern Karen Hospital at Karen in Nairobi, where he emphasized that a healthy nation is a key pillar of a working and caring nation.

He assured wananchi that the nets will be given free of charge to pregnant women and mothers with babies.

The President also announced that the Government will also be introducing a new and more effective drug for malaria treatment in May this year, in order to address the problem of rising cases of resistance to existing drugs.

President Kibaki further observed that the country has also registered good successes in the war against Malaria and Tuberculosis.

He expressed satisfaction that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS has steadily reduced from 14 percent in the year 2000 to the current 6.1 percent.

"This positive development has been made possible through our aggressive AIDS awareness campaign as well as the promotion of safe behaviour," he said.
The President also said that the Government has introduced favourable policies and practical interventions that allow players in the private sector to contribute to the development of the country's health sector.

He said the health sector policy framework and the new Strategic Plan fully recognize the private sector as a key partner in the delivery of health services and outlines areas where the private sector can complement the services being provided by the Government.

"My Government attaches a lot of importance to the health of all Kenyans. This is part of our commitment to enhancing human development and facilitating the process of economic recovery," President Kibaki said.

He added: "I wish to reiterate my Government's commitment in supporting private sector participation in the health sector as we all seek to improve the health of every Kenyan."

Saying that over the last three years the Government has concentrated efforts in addressing the most pressing challenges facing the health sector, the President revealed that the Government has raised the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Health to 31 billion shillings in the current financial year.

"In particular, we have paid attention to the problem of inadequate resources which has been one of the key impediments to the delivery of quality healthcare services," the Head of State said.

Additionally, President Kibaki said the Government has stepped up measures to improve access to health care by rehabilitating health facilities across the country and increasing the number of medical personnel.

In this regard, the Head of State said during the current financial year the Government has allocated 1.2 billion shillings to renovate building structures in dispensaries, health centres and hospitals countrywide.

Said the President: "This is over and above the funds which constituency committees are spending on construction of dispensaries and other basic health facilities. Another 800 million shillings has been used in the procurement of new medical equipment."

President Kibaki also disclosed that the Government, through the Ministry of Health, will recruit a total of 3,200 new medical personnel before the end of this Financial Year to boost delivery of healthcare services to Kenyans.

He pointed out that the new personnel will be deployed in various parts of the country, especially those areas that are facing severe staff shortage.

The President, however, encouraged the involvement of the community in health issues, saying the Government recognizes that improving the quality of healthcare services requires active involvement of the beneficiaries of those services.

In this connection, President Kibaki said the Ministry of Health has developed a new strategic plan that seeks to enhance community participation in the delivery and management of health services.

"This will ensure effective, efficient and transparent utilization of the resources that the Government is channeling to the health sector. The strategy also lays more emphasis on preventive healthcare services," he observed.

Stressing the need for improved healthcare service delivery to Kenyans, President Kibaki said the Government will not tolerate public officers who misuse resources being availed by the Government for implementation of healthcare activities.

"Those charged with the responsibility of managing funds allocated towards combating these diseases must ensure that they are utilized prudently," the President said.
The President also directed accounting officers to ensure that audited accounts are availed on time in order to safeguard sustained funding for the health sector.

Noting the steady increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and obesity is, President Kibaki urged Kenyans to observe dietary and physical discipline that will keep these diseases at bay.

"Indeed, many of these problems can be controlled through simple, yet effective change in lifestyle," the Head of State said.

He commended the Heart-to-Heart Foundation for creating awareness on the growing risk of heart disease in the society, saying the foundation's campaigns are saving many lives by sensitizing people on healthy living in order to reduce the occurence of heart disease.

Commending the Board of Directors of the Hospital for their vision in setting up the highly specialized health facility, President Kibaki said the hospital will go a long way in availing quality hospital care to Kenyans as well as to people from the wider East and Central Africa region and beyond.

He said such a ventures should be supported as they supplement the Government's efforts in providing efficient and high quality healthcare services for all Kenyans.

"I am pleased to note that this hospital will not only be treating patients, but it will also be providing training to those who wish to pursue a career in the medical profession," the President said.

Noting that the hospital's I.C.T. infrastructure is linked both internally and externally to other institutions such as hospitals and medical schools in our universities, the President said the move will enable remote consultations, where doctors and patients can consult online without having to travel long distances.

"This is a major step forward and it is my hope that patients and institutions will take full advantage of it. It is also my hope that the skills and knowledge acquired through the operations of this hospital will be passed on to aspiring doctors, nurses and other medical professionals," President Kibaki said.

Other speakers included Health Minister Charity Ngilu who thanked President Kibaki for increasing her ministry's budget by 30 percent, the hospital's Chief Executive Dr. Betty Gikonyo and Deputy Chief Executive Mr. James Mageria.