By Betty Luke
A five-year USAid funded program that seeks to improve healthcare systems through financial accountability and adequate citizen participation is underway in five counties in Kenya.
The initiative dubbed United Society Against Fraud, Waste and Abuse (USAWA) will adopt a multi sectoral approach involving local journalists and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) to reduce wastage and fraud in Isiolo, Kakamega, Kilifi, Mombasa and Nakuru counties.
Residents and the lobby groups in the select counties will benefit with trainings to enable them identify and act on all forms of corruption within the healthcare systems while journalists will benefit through story grants to support them investigate on corruption in the health sector.
The program will also see relevant county government departments sensitized on how to improve their performance which will translate to better services.
The program will be implemented by a consortium of organizations including the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), Inter-religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) and Transparency International (TI) Kenya as the lead partner.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Isiolo town, USAWA Deputy Chief of Party Titus Gitonga said the initiative would enhance openness and accountability by ensuring resources set aside for provision of healthcare are properly utilized.
“We hope to achieve an inclusive health system in the next five years,” said Mr Gitonga.
Isiolo Deputy County Secretary Mohammed Boru pledged that the county government would adequately support the initiative to achieve its intended goal.
“We will support the program as it will help us address gaps that exist in our healthcare systems. We hope it will bring forward a positive change to how we provide healthcare,” he said.
Project Coordinator and AMWIK’s representative Lorna Sempele noted that journalists would play a critical role in highlighting the best practices as well corruption incidents in the health systems.
Journalists, according to the official, would be trained and supported financially and with equipment to enable them adequately contribute to enhanced fiscal accountability and citizen participation.
“Journalists will be key players in this project and we shall adequately equip them with skills to report on human rights around healthcare,” said Ms Sempele during a meeting with tens of journalists in Isiolo town.
The official called on the county governments to adequately support journalists to improve communication mechanisms between the two teams.
Isiolo Journalists Chairperson Waweru Wairimu hailed the program saying it will help grow an interest in health stories and contribute to improved health systems.
“We (journalists) are passionate about covering best health practices by the counties and commit to partner and support counties through adequate coverage on development and ideas that contribute to improved services,” he noted.
