Governors call for health budget review

Tharaka Nithi Governor and CoG Health Committee Chairperson Muthomi Njuki. [File, Standard]

The Council of Governors is now calling for a review of how resources meant for health are shared between the two levels of government.

The Council’s health committee chairperson Muthomi Njuki the health budget at the Ministry of Health is more than double that of the counties combined, yet health is fully devolved

Speaking in Homabay County, setting the tone for the devolution conference that has kicked off today, Njuki said there has been a serious struggle on the part of counties when it comes to fully funding the health docket as much of the resources are still in the hands of the Ministry of Health, which he opined should be left with the policy role only.

According to the governor, a larger percentage of the budget appropriated at parliament should go to the devolved units.

While maintaining the question of funding healthcare for counties has remained a key concern because of the meagre resources allocated, Njuki said there is an urgent need for a collaborative approach between the legislative arm of government and counties, more so on matters budgeting.

“The constant strife between the national assembly and the senate has periodically derailed disbursement of funds to counties as the national assembly resulting to being a defender of the executive as opposed to assessing the situation on the ground and allocating resources as it should be,” said Njuki.

He said the two levels of government have an opportunity to learn from private sector and find out what it is offering including medical equipment.

“We could be thinking we have the best medical equipment in our facilities yet there could be an exhibitor who could display a unique technology that could make yesterday’s technology look irrelevant,” he said.

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He said once the two levels of government realise that they are not in competition with each other, they will be able to deliver on their mandate.

“Devolution unit funds are stuck in the budget and there is heat between the senate and the national assembly because the senate advocates for devolution and the national assembly feels they are protected in the national level and these things come to haunt people,” he said.

He added “It is not a secret that they are biased by the national assembly, they always feel like they are part of the executive and therefore are in competition with counties and that is why by showcasing what we have done as counties in devolution conference, we let the senate, national assembly and executive know the challenges we go through what we’ve been able to achieve with the typical sources that we have.”

Njuki said the devolution forum presents a perfect opportunity for counties to share best practices and learning for the devolved units from their colleagues as well as get the latest technology from vendors on what suits counties best.

While questioning why counties are still building hospitals, delivering equipment and ambulances through the Health Ministry, Njuki said there is a general feeling that the national government has never let go the devolved units.