KENYA— The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH), has unveiled the Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) 2022.
The new KDHS 2022 unveiled promising health indicators, and the information and data it contains will help guide health policy decisions, revealed Kenya’s Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u, who presided over the unveiling event.
The KDHS 2022 main report also brought to light significant improvements in health indicators and served as a guiding tool for health policy decisions.
The KDHS 2022 Main Report highlights positive advancements in child health and nutrition indicators.
The 2022 KDHS was implemented by the KNBS in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other stakeholders.
Funding for the survey was provided by the Government of Kenya, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Also, the Nutrition International, the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) also provided supported the survey.
The UN Resident Coordinator office assured the coordination of UN agencies supporting the 2022 KDHS.
Technical assistance through the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program, a USAID-funded project providing support and technical assistance in implementing population and health surveys in countries worldwide.
The breakdown of the KDHS 2022
The primary objective of the 2022 KDHS is to provide up-to-date estimates of demographic, health, and nutrition indicators to guide the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of population and health-related programs at the national and county levels.
Cabinet Secretary for Health Nakhumicha S. Wafula commended the findings during the launch event and emphasized their role in shaping interventions and advancing universal health coverage.
CS Wafula underscored the substantial rise in skilled delivery rates, ensuring safer childbirth practices for mothers and infants and the report also indicates improved access to antenatal care, contributing to healthier outcomes during pregnancy and childbirth.
Speaking at the launch, CS Wafula emphasized the importance of utilizing the KDHS 2022 data to inform policy decisions and interventions aimed at advancing universal health coverage through primary healthcare networks.
“These valuable insights will guide our efforts in ensuring equitable access to high-quality health services for all Kenyans,” CS. Wafula stated.
CS Wafula also highlighted that the report also drew attention to the need for increased health insurance coverage in Kenya.
Moreover, since only a quarter of Kenyans currently have health insurance, indicating a key area for improvement.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that the MOH aimed to address this issue by leveraging the National Social Health Fund to achieve universal health coverage and bridge the gap in health insurance availability.
The KDHS 2022 Main Report serves as a crucial resource for evidence-based decision-making in the health sector.
Cabinet Secretary Nakhumicha emphasized the significance of utilizing this data to guide policies and develop targeted interventions.
By leveraging the insights provided by the KDHS 2022, stakeholders can work towards improved healthcare access and quality for all citizens.
The launch of the KDHS 2022 Main Report marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare.
The findings will play a vital role in shaping policy decisions, programs, and interventions to enhance health outcomes and achieve universal health coverage.
The CS encouraged all Stakeholders, policymakers, and experts in the health sector to utilize this data to drive positive change and ensure a healthier future for all Kenyans.
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