“Given the reports on misfeseance and corruption in the health sector, particularly the GAVI Report, the Global Fund OIG Report and the Auditor General Report in Kenya, what steps shall the East African Community and development partners take to ensure that as it scales up investment in health there is an accountability framework in place to ensure money is meeting the Community’s health needs?” Nerima Were, KELIN
On 21-22 February 2018 the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat conducted a Joint Heads of State Retreat on Infrastructure and Health Financing and Development. The Retreat combined two events the 4th EAC Heads of State Retreat on Infrastructure and Financing and 1st EAC Summit on Investment in Health and Health Sectors. The Retreat was aimed at accelerating the attainment of objectives of the EAC Development Strategy, Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals in the infrastructure and health sector.
KELIN participated in the first EAC Roundtable on Investing in Health Infrastructure, Systems, Services and research for the accelerated attainment of Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. This forum, the first of its kind, expected to build consensus across the EAC on priority health infrastructure, systems, services and research investment with the highest potential to accelerate progress towards UHC and the SDGs.
The forum was attended by EAC Heads of State, relevant ministers, principal secretaries and senior officials from partner states, representatives from the African Union, regional economic communities, multi-lateral and bilateral partners, UN agencies, civil society and the private sector.
Key to deliberations at the Roundtable was the presentation of the ten-year EAC regional health sector investment priorities, which highlights nine priority areas for the accelerated attainment of UHC in the sub-region. These priority areas include: expansion of access to specialized cares; increase of access to safe and efficacious and affordable medicines; and expansion of health insurance coverage and social health protection among others.
This dialogue provided KELIN and other civil society with the opportunity to meaningfully interrogate the health priority areas highlighted by the EAC and the implementation strategies that shall be employed. KELIN raised, with concern, the need for an accountability framework, which shall ensure that as we work towards UHC we protect our investment by addressing the misfeasance and corruption that has plagued some partner states, notably Kenya, in provision of health services. We highlighted that development partners have a role to play in ensuring accountability by taking more stringent measures against non-compliant States without risking the health of citizens.
To contribute to the discussions on this forum follow KELIN on our social media platforms:
Twitter: @KELINKenya using hashtag #EAC #UHC
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya
For more information contact:
Nerima Were
Acting Programme Manager Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights
Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN)
4th Floor, Somak Building, Mombasa Road
Tel +254202515790
Email: nwere@kelinkenya.org
