Health systems managers graduate in a special course

Twenty senior health managers drawn from all over the country graduated on Nairobi on 13th May 2010 in health systems management, a course that is sponsored by United States Agency for International Development to make health managers better leaders.

The main objective of the course, which is offered in collaboration between KMTC, United States International University and Galilee College, Israel, is to strengthen the country's health system by building the capacity of health managers.

Former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Medical Services Prof. James Ole Kiyiapi, who was the chief guest at the ceremony, said the course would "greatly contribute to improved effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery in the public health sector."

The PS noted that despite a huge amount of the Kenya government's recurrent budget going to health services, health systems in the country are generally weak in the health facilities.

He further noted that the country's health systems have been characterised by operational and management inefficiency, poor capacity in planning and budgeting and poor management.

Effective leadership and skilled management in the health sector, he observed, are essential for the overall improvement of the health services and for achievement of health sector targets such as achievement of Millennium Development Goals and Kenya's vision 2030.
In a speech read on his behalf by the KMTC Finance Manager Mr. Jacob Ombayo, the Director Dr. Olang'o Onudi noted that the program, which was launched in July 2006 has to date successfully graduated 120 senior members of the health management teams.

"The training exposes participants to internationally renowned and successful health systems in Israel. We are confident that health delivery services will greatly improve as managers utilize the acquired knowledge and skills," he added.

Thanking USAID for supporting the implementation of the program, he requested other partners to support further trainings and implementation of projects proposed by the graduates of the program.

The PS urged the graduands to, among other things, use the training to make informed decisions and derive interventions that address the needs of their communities and write proposals seeking assistance from the Ministries and from donors to actualize developments in their facilities.

He also urged them to improve the management of the country's limited resources including finances, human, drugs and supplies, equipment and infrastructures.

The KMTC Board Chairman Prof. Julius Meme said the College is positioning itself to make even more resounding contribution to the health sector. He said that the Board is reforming the College to make it degree awarding in the next two years.