NAIROBI, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's health ministry said Friday it has finalized plans to launch a health benefit package to help provide quality health services to all citizens irrespective of their economic status.
Sicily Kariuki, Cabinet Secretary for Health, said the Universal Health Care (UHC) Health Benefit Package will become effective in 2020.
"We have plans to avail accessible health benefit package that will guarantee health services to everyone irrespective of their status," Kariuki said this during the inauguration of Health Benefit Package Advisory Panel (HBAP) in Nairobi.
She noted that unlike the past, citizens will not have to sell their assets in exchange of securing medication, noting that radical decisions have to be made as the country prepares to unveil the Universal Health Care (UHC).
"The pilot phase will be conducted in four counties once the panel drafts their findings by the end of August," she added.
Gilbert Kokwaro, chairman of the panel, said that their roadmap plan is intended to be a collection of health services that will recognize the existing disparities among Kenyans based on income, gender and geographical location.
Kokwaro added that the panel has agreed on two deliverables that include standard criteria for ensuring that procurement of drugs, medical supplies and technologies are done for the benefit of all citizens.
The panel was formed by Kariuki in June and is supposed to give its reports on the two deliverables within 60 days.
The team is set to design an affordable, responsive health benefit package for the delivery of UHC in the country.
