Kenyan civil societies announced that the 90-day suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding severely affected the healthcare system in Kenya.
Speaking to the press, they said that close to 150 clinics had been closed while over 35,000 health workers had been rendered jobless.
They further said that 72,000 Kenyans taking ARV medication had been affected, posing a huge risk in managing the patients’ welfare.
They urged the government to ensure seamless operations in all the health sectors operating through foreign aid, adding that they should ensure adequate funding is allocated to cater for the looming health crisis in the country.
The United States had issued a stop-work order freezing all foreign assistance, including health programs supported through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), on January 30.
Hours after the United States issued a stop-work order freezing all foreign assistance, a limited waiver of the 90-day order was announced, allowing the resumption of critical life-saving programs.
According to a document released by the Global Health Security and Diplomacy, 90-day limited waiver included: HIV testing services for all populations, HIV care and treatment services for all PLHIV, laboratory support, and supply chain management for the procurement of HIV medicines and other commodities to prevent stock-outs in national HIV programs.
However, funding remains suspended for abortion services, family planning, conferences, gender, diversity and inclusion initiatives, transgender surgeries and non-life-saving assistance.
Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai has assured Kenyans that the Ministry of Health will reallocate some of its funds to critical health programs as a sustainability measure.
He noted that the government will introduce a Quality of Care Bill as part of reforms to improve health care in the country.
