Government and Ngo Partnership in the Health Sector in Kenya

Government and NGO Partnership in the Health Sector in Kenya

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Government and NGO Partnership in the Health Sector in Kenya

Africa is one of the regions in the world with significant unmet health needs. The Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly, is still grappling with several diseases that are no longer a threat in developed countries. Most governments in this region are handicapped due to poor fiscal planning and burgeoning population. However, there are several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that work alongside the government to bridge this gap. This paper will analyze the health interventions of the government and NGOs, specifically Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and their efficacy in addressing this unmet health needs in Kenya.

In Kenya, like in any other country, provision of health services is primarily the function of the government. The populace expects that the government will offer some respite in dealing with pandemics such as HIV/AIDS, provide basic family planning strategies and even make access to health services affordable, if not free. However, the government is unable to meet these expectations due to fiscal challenges. More often, provision mired with delimitating challenges leaves a majority of the population exposed. Nonetheless, several NGOs such as the Oxfam, ChildFund and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have initiatives that offer a much needed respite to the sick. For instance, the Gates Foundation offers health assistance in HIV/AIDS prevention; family planning and financial services for the poor to enable them afford health services (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 2015).

Provision of health services in Kenya has often been prone to a number of challenges. In curbing HIV/AIDS, the government established the National AIDS Control Council to coordinate the fight against HIV/AIDS (Bedi, 2003). Through collaboration with other development partners, the government has been able to provide free ARVs to patients. However, these drugs are only available in government hospitals, making the service inaccessible to patients in remote areas. Other areas such as family planning intervention affordable healthcare are also suffering due the devolution of health services to the nascent county. The national government has developed a scheme which provides monthly stipends for those who are not in a position to undertake any income generating activities. This income is intended to assist them in meeting their basic needs such as health (Bedi, 2003). However, this stipend is limited to the elderly, meaning that younger people who cannot afford health are left without any assistance. In bridging this gap, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has initiated programs such as the preventive intervention for HIV/AIDS; family planning strategies and the provision of financial services to those who cannot afford (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 2015). In comparison, the function of the government has been less effective due to corruption and improper checks and balances. This is unlike Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that has an efficient evaluation process to ensure effectiveness of its processes.