Nairobi: The 47 County governments in Kenya have announced a collaborative effort with the National government to expand access to quality healthcare. This initiative aims to advance the country’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and reduce the financial burden of medical care on citizens.
According to Kenya News Agency, the UHC program is a crucial pillar designed to transform the country’s health sector for enhanced service delivery. Its primary objective is to ensure all Kenyans have access to essential, quality health services, including prevention, treatment, and palliative care, without facing financial hardships or falling into poverty due to out-of-pocket medical costs.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, who serves as the Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG) Committee on Health, emphasized that the UHC program is intended to provide healthcare services to citizens regardless of their social status. Governor Nassir stated that the CoG will work closely with the National government to deliver UHC, strengthen primary healthcare, and accelerate digital transformation.
Governor Nassir highlighted that healthcare is not a privilege based on income or geography but a constitutional right that must be delivered. He affirmed that the CoG will collaborate with the National government to ensure that all Kenyans, irrespective of their socio-economic background, can access quality healthcare with dignity, fairness, and respect. The devolved governments are committed to supporting national initiatives aimed at reducing the financial burden on medical care.
Recently, the Kenya Health Summit 2026, held at the KICC under the theme ‘Reform Delivered; Health as a Right,’ was declared a major success by the coastal county leader. The summit focused on maternal and newborn health, specialized and referral services, health workforce development, access to essential health products and technologies, and local pharmaceutical manufacturing. Governor Nassir noted that during the summit, devolved units expressed firm commitments towards making quality healthcare a right for every Kenyan.
Governor Nassir emphasized the need to shift focus from policy promises to measurable results, functional primary healthcare, sustainable financing, motivated healthcare professionals, reliable medicines, and technology that serves every citizen. He reiterated that healthcare is a fundamental human right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it.
Through initiatives like EWENE (Every Woman, Every Newborn, Everywhere), the devolved governments are turning commitments into action, strengthening maternal and newborn care, expanding specialized and referral services, and improving continuous care for sickle cell patients. The CoG Health Committee is contributing to sustainable solutions for addressing high maternal and child mortality rates in the counties.
Governor Nassir announced a significant investment in Mombasa’s healthcare system, with the county set to benefit from a Sh4.4 billion grant secured by President William Ruto from the AMSONS Group under the ‘Mama na Mtoto Kwanza’ project. This national health initiative, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, will deliver a specialized 250-bed Level 4 hospital dedicated to maternal and child healthcare in Mombasa.
Additionally, the Mombasa County government, in collaboration with the M-PESA Foundation, is building a Sh63.2 million Faraja Cancer Wellness Centre at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital. This center aims to enhance early cancer screening, reduce costs, and expand local access to diagnostics and oncology care for residents across the coast region.
Last week, Mombasa County also opened a Sh50 million State-of-the-Art pediatric operating room at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH). This solar-powered pediatric theatre, equipped for specialized pediatric surgical care, provides safe operations access for vulnerable children, marking a significant milestone in supporting life-changing operations annually.
