Devolution and Access to Healthcare in Kenya

Synopsis:

The Heinrich Boell Stiftung hosts the Gender Forum this Thursday 24th September 2015 from 4:00-6:00pm to discuss Devolution, Access to Healthcare and the impact on women’s public health. The promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya (2010) altered the public health structures in the country fundamentally, including by devolving the administration of public health to the county level. The process of healthcare devolution has proved to be incredibly complex and has created many challenges, including on oversight, service delivery, human resources and technical capacity.

This Gender forum is designed as a stakeholder forum to focus specifically on the impact of devolution on the public health system in Kenya. In addition to a general discussion on these impacts, the forum will also focus on key complexities the devolution system has introduced for women. 

Key discussion points:

• What factors have contributed to the current crisis in the healthcare industry in Kenya?
• How has devolution impacted women’s public health in Kenya?
• What initiatives has the government put in place in order to address the crisis in the public health system?
• What is the impact on practitioner well-being on service delivery in the healthcare system?
• What is needed in order to bring Kenya’s public health sector back on track?

Discussion Panel:

The discussion panel comprises key stakeholders in this debate i.e.

Senator Mvita Mshenga Kisasa, Seneate Committee on Health

Dr. Evelyn Chege, Gender Representative, Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU)

Dr. Andrew Mulwa – County Executive Committee, Health, Makueni County

SHOFCO Representative

About the Gender Forum

The Gender Forum is a monthly public dialogue convened by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung since 2001, encouraging dialogue on pertinent national issues with a gendered lens. It brings together scholars, law makers and implementers, civil activists, government institutions, students and the general public, aiming at sharing knowledge and inspiring gendered analysis of policy and programmes. The forum also convenes in Kisumu in partnership with KEFEADO and travels around the country in response to county needs.