COG launches manual to streamline healthcare financing in counties

The Council of Governors (CoG) has launched a financial procedure manual that will guide in undertaking the arduous task of ensuring there is fiscal accountability in the use of county resources in the health sector.

COG chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi said that the County Financial Management and Procedures Manual for County Health Spending Units will guide healthcare workers to ensure the efficient and effective operation of county health spending units.

Speaking in Nairobi on Monday, Abdullahi said that the manual will act like a training tool to strengthen accounting and financial management for county health facilities.

The manual will operate under the guidelines of the Facility Improvement Financing (FIF) Act of 2023 which provides a legal framework for county governments to institutionalize the collection, retention, and use of revenue by health facilities.

This comes amid the demand for quality and affordable health care services which has not been equated with adequate financing to meet all healthcare demands for Kenyans.

Abdullahi noted that so far, 43 out of 47 counties have allowed funds generated by health facilities to be retained and used to defray services.

Similarly, all 47 counties are providing complementary funding to health facilities given that FIF cannot fully cover facility needs.

The manual has already been piloted in Nyandarua, Lamu and Meru counties.

This comes amid ambitious plans by the government to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as President William Ruto has lobbied for the full transition to the new healthcare system the Social Health Authority (SHA).