By Shadrack Nyakoe
Moses Mwangi, a renowned medic and business leader from Murang’a, has endorsed the Kenyan Government’s 2024/25 budget, recently presented by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u in the National Assembly.
The budget, under President William Samoei Ruto’s administration, prioritizes health by allocating a significant portion to critical healthcare needs.
Mwangi, an advocate of the mantra “a healthy nation is a wealthy nation,” highlighted key health sector allocations: Ksh 4.2 billion for the Universal Health Coverage Coordination and Management Unit, Ksh 4.6 billion for Specialized Medical Equipment and Community Health Promoters, and Ksh 2.0 billion for Free Maternity Health Care.
Other notable allocations include Ksh 861.5 million for Medical Cover for the Elderly and Severely Disabled, Ksh 4.1 billion for the Primary Healthcare Fund, and Ksh 2.0 billion for the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund. Additionally, Ksh 28.7 billion is allocated for the Global Fund (HIV, Malaria), Ksh 4.6 billion for Procurement and Distribution of Vaccines and Immunizations, Ksh 1.2 billion for the Construction and Equipping of Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTC), and Ksh 2.6 billion for the Kenya National Hospital Burns and Pediatrics Centre.
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Dr. Mwangi commended the Ksh 4.6 billion allocation for vaccines and immunization programs, emphasizing their crucial role in saving lives and reducing healthcare costs. He also praised provisions for cancer care, support for the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
“By allocating funds to cover medical costs for the elderly, Dr. Ruto’s government has made a much-needed and overdue move,” Dr. Mwangi said. He added that addressing cancer and other lifestyle diseases requires a collaborative effort from both the government and society.
Mwangi’s positive reception of the budget underscores the essential need for substantial healthcare funding to build a healthier and more prosperous nation.