Lodwar – 29th May 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The County Health Management Team and its stakeholders have validated the draft County Facilities Improvement Financing (FIF) Bill 2024, which seeks to improve the quality of healthcare services by permitting facility-in-charges to directly use the revenue they locally generate.

The two-day meeting, led by County Executive for Health and Sanitation Dr Francis Mariao, provided a platform for health stakeholders to comment on and clarify the Bill that aims to transform healthcare service provision in the county.

Speaking during the meeting, Dr Mariao said that the Bill would allow facility heads to cover operational and maintenance costs.

“Every entity in the proposed Bill has clear roles, which enables accountability and transparency in the management and use of facility revenue,” he said.

He urged the team to support the remaining steps towards the operationalisation of the Bill.

The Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health, Cathra Abdi, pointed out that the formulation of FIF committees should be inclusive and reflect the community in which the facility is located.

The County Solicitor Ruth Emanikor and Litigation, Legal Audit, and Compliance Officer Lokuruka Ekal, guided the team in completing the final draft of the FIF Bill.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Mariao acknowledged the support and consistency of the partners in addressing the health agenda.

The meeting brought together senior and sub-county health management teams, the Council of Governors’ team, partner organisation’s representatives from USAID Nawiri, Save the Children, International Rescue Committee, Amref Health Africa Kenya, World Relief, UNICEF Kenya, UNHCR, AIC Health Ministries, Good Neighbours Kenya, Kenya Red Cross, and Kenya Medical Training College, Lodwar.