Counties get Sh19.1bn boost for maternal healthcare

Counties will receive Sh19.1 billion each annually for five years to advance reproductive, maternal, neonetal, child and adolescent healthcare.

The money will be disbursed under the Transforming Health Systems Project (THS-UCP) jointly implemented by the Ministry of Health and the 47 devolved governments.

The total funding for the project is Sh19.1 billion and will be disbursed as conditional grants to the counties.

The World Bank’s International Development Association credit will finance Sh15 billion of the funding while Sh4 billion will be provided by the Global Financing Trust Fund and Sh110 million by a Japanese government grant from the Policy for Human Resources Development Trust Fund.

“This project will complement county resources in the health sector and we thank the World Bank, the Japan government and the Danish government for their financial support,” said Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma who chairs the health committee at the  Council of Governors.
He made the remarks yesterday during the just concluded 4th annual Devolution Conference in Naivasha.

Subsequent allocations will be based on improved performance of five health indicators which include immunisation of children under five years, pregnant women attending at least four antenatal clinic visits and births attended by skilled health personnel.

Women aged between 15 and 49 years using modern family planning method and health facilities meeting safety standards will also be used as indicators for funds allocation.

The five-year project aims at improving use and quality of primary health care services.