CS Health rallies nurses and midwives to lead UHC and SHA implementations

By : Amos Mutheru

Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, held a strategic engagement with representatives of nurses and midwives, led by Dr. Judith Awinja, Head of Nursing and Midwifery Services at the Ministry of Health.

The central focus of this meeting was on the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Social Health Authority (SHA) in Kenya.

During the engagement, the Cabinet Secretary highlighted the crucial role of nurses and midwives, who constitute over 70% of the country’s health workforce, in bridging the gap between policy and the people, fostering community trust, mobilizing resources, and advancing the UHC agenda.

The Cabinet Secretary provided a detailed update on the Social Health Authority (SHA) packages, which include essential services such as maternity care, emergency services, chronic illness management, and palliative care.

He emphasized the vital role of nurses and midwives in the rollout, implementation, and ensuring the impact of these packages at the community level.

He urged the nursing and midwifery team to take a leading role in championing SHA registration and sensitizing communities about its importance.

Furthermore, he reaffirmed the government’s ongoing investment in the training of nurses, equipping health facilities, and involving them in the development of national health strategies.

This includes the recent deployment of the electronic Community Health Information Systems (eCHIS) and the increasing integration of frontline voices, particularly nurses, into the national Artificial Intelligence in Health strategy.

The meeting was attended by key figures including the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Ms. Mary Muthoni, Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, and the Ministry’s Secretary Administration, Mr. Adan Harakhe.