Kenya has called on the global community to prioritize sustainable health financing and social participation in health systems as critical pillars for achieving equity and resilience.
The appeal was made during a high-level side event on Social Participation in Health Equity and Resilient Societies, held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, and co-hosted by Slovenia and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Addressing the event, the Kenyan delegation underscored the urgent need for countries to take ownership of their health systems, especially as external funding sources dwindle.
It was noted that the withdrawal of donor support has exposed deep vulnerabilities in many health systems across the developing world.
“Sustainable financing for health systems remains a challenge, worsened by the withdrawal of external funds. The lesson is clear: ownership matters, and when communities set priorities and monitor resources, resilience grows,” the delegation said.
Kenya is leading from the front in strengthening its health system through the rollout of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) reforms designed to ensure no one is left behind. Key milestones include:
- Enactment of four new laws to operationalize social health insurance, making healthcare more accessible and equitable.
- Empowerment of over 100,000 community health promoters with essential medicines, medical tools, and monthly stipends to strengthen grassroots care.
- Expansion of participatory budgeting through digital platforms, allowing citizens to engage directly in setting health priorities and monitoring implementation.
- Strengthening of primary health care networks to ensure access to quality care in underserved and remote areas.
The reforms are built on the belief that health is a democratic right, and that citizens must have a voice in shaping the systems that impact their wellbeing.
“We call on the global community to invest not only in medicines and infrastructure, but in the democratic right of citizens to shape their health and future,” the Kenyan statement emphasized.
The event brought together heads of state, ministers of health, civil society leaders, and development partners committed to advancing health equity through community engagement and transparent governance.
Participants discussed strategies for enhancing accountability, mobilizing domestic resources, and embedding citizen voices in national health policies.
Kenya’s presentation was received as a compelling example of how low- and middle-income countries can lead innovation in health systems by placing communities at the center of decision-making and delivery.
As global health systems confront mounting challenges from pandemics and climate change to economic shocks Kenya reiterated that participatory governance and local ownership must be at the core of any sustainable solution.
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