Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary announces key appointments to boards

KENYA – Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has inaugurated board of directors to govern selected national healthcare bodies namely the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and the Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority.

Kagwe named Dr. Rodgers Atebe as chair of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Dr. Fred Siyoi as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Muleli Mutuku, Dr. Paul Magutu Njaria, Dorcas Wanjiru Ngechu, Dr. John Munguti Kisengi, Miriam Wairimu Ndirangu, Stephens Ogutu Oyaya and Dr. Diana Marion as board members.

The newly appointed Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Governors (BoG) has an important strategic role to regulate the practice of pharmacy and the manufacture and trade of drugs and poisons in line with the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, Chapter 244 of the Laws of Kenya.

Health remains a critical driver of the economy with the government ready to improve health outcomes based on the essential values of human rights, equality, freedom, democracy, social justice and the rule of law.

On the other hand, Members of the Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority Board include Dr. Amit N. Thakker as the board’s chairperson, Dr. Jackson Kioko as the authority’s CEO, Manaseh Bocha, Eunice Njeri Tole, Meboh Abuor, Irina Moraa Ogamba, Elyas Sheikh Abdinoor and Mariam Adam.

The Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority Board will ensure provision of ethical & quality health services to the public, proper structures in healthcare delivery are in place, safeguard processes that ensure good quality as well as assessing patient outcomes in ways that enhance improvement.

Mutahi Kagwe stressed that the authority is expected to institutionalize standards through establishment of parameters that would discourage their individualization while inaugurating the Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority Board.

Meanwhile, Hon. Lewis Nguyai will chair the new NHIF Board, Dr. Peter Kamunyo is the Fund’s CEO and Secretary to the Board and others appointed board members include Dr. Isabella Maina, Michael Kahiti, Dr. Andrew W. Onyino, Albert Obed Njeru, Ben Wakhungu, Dr. Silpah Owich and Dominic Ndegwa.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe noted that inauguration of the NHIF board is key in government efforts towards realizing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through pooling risks and funds to offer financial protection to its beneficiaries.

He advised the newly inaugurated boards to embrace technology and strive to realize the highest standards in line with global best practices while observing that technical and conceptual skills were crucial in making a difference.

In addition, Mutahi Kagwe assured that the health ministry was ready to offer support to ensure the three inaugurated boards actualize their respective mandates as the country prepares for assessment by the World Health Organization towards certification to maturity level 3.

He said that the government is committed to expanding health service coverage with a focus on quality as well as reduction of healthcare costs, noting that the government through the Ministry of Health has prioritized nurturing and protecting the well-being of individuals, families and communities.

According to Kagwe, health remains a critical driver of the economy with the government ready to improve health outcomes based on the essential values of human rights, equality, freedom, democracy, social justice and the rule of law.

“The National Government under the leadership of President Uhuru Kenyatta, has identified UHC as a key priority for the country in line with the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the Sustainable Development Goals and my Ministry is fully- committed to deliver these noble aspirations of our people,” he added.

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