Former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha handed over the reins of the Ministry of Health to her successor, Deborah Mulongo, in a formal ceremony held at Afya House on Thursday, August 29, ending what, in the eyes of some, has been a rocky 17 months.
Nakhumicha, who has been at the helm of the health docket since her appointment in October 2022, lauded the progress made under her leadership but also acknowledged the challenges that clouded her tenure.
The protracted talks saw doctors remain on the streets for nearly three months and the chaos that followed with intern doctors going as far as sleeping outside the Ministry of Health’s offices at Afya House.
She was among a team of cabinet secretaries who brokered a deal for both doctors and interns to return to work. However, officials from the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) did not heap praise on her handling of the situation.
The group, led by Secretary General Davji Atellah, even broke into song and dance when President William Ruto fired the whole cabinet, including Nakhumicha.
“It was one of the lowest moments for me during my tenure but even during that time, we worked as a team and managed the situation as bad as it was,” stated Nakhumicha during the handover.
She added, “We could have done better, maybe. I want to look at it as part of the journey of this job. Even when you think you are doing good, the law of unintended consequences catches up with you. You plan to do the very best but you end up with an intended consequence.”
Nakhumicha’s departure marks the end of a period characterised by ambitious reforms aimed at transforming the country’s healthcare system. Central to her legacy is the introduction of Community Health Promoters (CHPs), a program that has seen over 100,000 professionals trained to provide basic medical care across the country.
“We did a very good job. I leave with my head very high,” she remarked, highlighting the impact of the CHPs in bridging the gap in healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas.
The former CS also pointed to her efforts in restructuring the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), an institution that had been mired in procurement scandals prior to her tenure. Under her watch, KEMSA saw the implementation of a new governance structure and a significant increase in stock availability.
“When we came in, there was a dark cloud hanging around KEMSA but I leave when we have managed to do some work,” Nakhumicha said, underscoring her commitment to restoring public trust in the agency.
Another feather in Nakhumicha’s cap is the operationalisation of the Kenya BioVax Institute, established in 2021 to spearhead local vaccine production. This initiative, aimed at reducing Kenya’s reliance on imported vaccines, was a critical step towards self-sufficiency in the health sector.
Despite these achievements, Nakhumicha did not shy away from acknowledging the shortcomings during her time in office.
Reflecting on her tenure, she expressed regret over the doctor strikes that disrupted healthcare services across the country. “It was a low moment for us as a ministry. Having to see that there are patients who need to be served and there are no doctors to serve them, that was really a low moment for me,” she confessed, pointing to the strain between the ministry and healthcare workers as a significant challenge.
As Deborah Mulongo steps into the role of Health Cabinet Secretary, she inherits a ministry that has seen both significant strides and notable setbacks.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE