By Shadrack Nyakoe
Members of the Nairobi City County Assembly have urged Governor Sakaja to seek the assembly’s approval before moving forward with plans to implement a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the health sector.
This includes the proposed establishment of revolving fund pharmacies and the appointment of 11 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to manage level 4 hospitals.
The County Health Committee, led by its Chairman, Maurice Ochieng, who represents Mountain View Ward, emphasized that these proposals can only be executed once they receive formal approval from the assembly.
Ochieng expressed concerns about potential misuse of the proposed PPP, particularly in the areas of supply chain management and pharmaceutical procurement, which could lead to the diversion of medical supplies for private benefit.
The county’s cabinet has already given its approval to establish pharmacies within level 4 and 5 hospitals and to appoint CEOs to oversee level 4 hospitals.
Governor Sakaja, in defense of the proposals, stated that the move aims to improve access to health services and ensure better management and accountability within the healthcare system.
He noted that the initiatives align with the latest legislative frameworks designed to uphold high standards of public health services.
However, Chairman Ochieng stressed that the proposals must undergo proper legislative scrutiny to avoid any loopholes that could compromise the integrity of the process.
He insisted that the Health Committee will not support the implementation of these initiatives until they are formally approved by the assembly.
“We will be engaging with the Health Executive Committee Member to ensure all concerns are addressed, and no steps are taken without the assembly’s input,” Ochieng said, reiterating the need for due process in both the pharmacy establishment and CEO appointments for level 4 hospitals.