Busia County Celebrates New Health Financing Laws

In October, AMPATH joined Busia County in celebrations to mark the launch of two important Busia County health laws: The Busia County Community Health Services Act 2021 and Busia County Health Services Fund (Amendment) Act, 2021. The launch was a culmination of years of efforts to address financing arrangement challenges in the county and was a result of collaboration between Busia County government, AMPATH and other partners. The event was attended by Busia County government officials, AMPATH executive director, community health volunteers (CHVs) and members of the public. 

With the onset of devolution in Kenya, county governments became responsible for the provision of primary and secondary health services. Most counties grappled with challenges resulting from the lack of legal framework to ring-fence (separate) health revenue and ensure adequate financing for health service delivery. Prior to devolution, the country relied on the Public Health Act to guide the implementation of Public Health Services. County governments were then faced with the need to enact laws drawing from the public finance management act (articles 116) to safeguard health revenue and enhance delivery of health services.

The newly enacted law in Busia County provided for the role of different parties including procurement, the county departments of health and other players to enhance the services to citizens by making funds like partner support, user fees, as well as NHIF capitation (payments per enrollee) and reimbursements accessible to health facilities. The deputy director of legal services in Busia, RTD Justice Emukule, was also present at the launch of the laws and encouraged everyone present to read the acts and familiarize themselves with the requirements of the laws.

AMPATH’s executive director of care, Professor Sylvester Kimaiyo, congratulated the County of Busia for being ahead in these efforts as he noted that very few of the 47 counties had enacted the health services fund laws. In addition, the Busia County Community Health Services Bill 2021 provided a framework for paying CHVs and funding community health programs. Community health strategy is fundamental to achieving universal health coverage and the new laws held promise to motivate CHVs and improve community health.

This success adds to the longstanding collaboration and partnership between Busia County and AMPATH. AMPATH’s support to Busia spans from HIV/AIDS care support (funded by PEPFAR/USAID), chronic disease programs and an ongoing universal health coverage pilot in Bunyala sub-county where AMPATH is supporting community enrolment of NHIF (insurance) and broader health system strengthening efforts.