Kenya has secured a KES1.8 billion grant from China to boost the provision of healthcare services in five centres spread across the country. The financing seeks to benefit wananchi seeking services at Londiani Referral Hospital, Baringo County Referral Hospital, Kilifi Hospital, Misikhu Hospital, and Bildad Kagia Hospital.

According to National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi the capital injection will be critical in upgrading these health care facilities. He added that part of the financing will go into the upgrade of Kaimosi Farmers Training College.

CS Mbadi lauded China for its continued support to Kenya, noting that the partnership underscores strong bilateral ties between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association (RUPHA) has welcomed the appointment of Aden Duale's as the new Cabinet Secretary for Health.

“Congratulations Aden Duale, and welcome to healthcare. Here we negotiate, our training as healthcare professionals inculcates the "do as I do" attitude and not the "do as I say" attitude. So we will copy your every step,” RUPHA said in part in a communique released on Thursday.

The association also urged Duale to clear NHIF arrears immediately, while also asking him to constitute the Social Health Authority Benefits and Tariffs Committee, Dispute Resolution Tribunal, and Primary Healthcare Advisory Council.

The association also noted that cancer patients do not have access to the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund and that the means testing in SHA is unpopular among Kenyans and that Primary Healthcare funds have not been released for February 2025.

Duale, previously the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, was moved to the health docket by President William Ruto on Wednesday in mini Cabinet shakeup. He replaced Dr. Deborah Barasa, who they swapped dockets at the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry.

“A key priority will be advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to guarantee equitable healthcare access, especially for vulnerable populations,” Duale said while acknowledging his new assignment.

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