The Murang’a County Assembly has called for an evaluation and enhancement of the Health Facilities Improvement Fund (FIF) to optimize its effectiveness.
According to the chairman of the County Assembly Committee on Health Services, Boniface Ng’ang’a, concerns were raised regarding the management and utilization of the FIF within the county. Currently, only eight health facilities in Murang’a County are benefiting from the fund, including the Murang’a County Referral Hospital, Muriranjas Hospital, and others such as Kangema, Maragua, Kigumo, Kandara, Kirwara Sub-County Hospitals, and Kenneth Matiba Eye and Dental Hospital.
The committee highlighted several issues, including the lack of access for hospital accountants to manage their respective facility bank accounts, despite being responsible for reporting on them. Additionally, there was noted disparity between county-level procurement and hospital-level procurement practices.
Further concerns were raised about transparency in revenue management and expenditure within health facilities, compounded by unclear roles and responsibilities among hospital management teams, leading to misunderstandings.
To address these issues, the committee recommended that effective July 1, 2024, all health centers and dispensaries should also benefit from the FIF. They also proposed granting hospital accountants access rights to monitor financial transactions through designated portals. Moreover, the committee suggested defining clear procedures for waivers to prevent misuse and enhancing procurement processes to boost efficiency, accountability, and credibility.
Furthermore, the committee recommended comprehensive training for hospital administration officers, accountants, and medical superintendents on procurement and budgeting processes related to the FIF.
The Assembly also directed the County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation to provide a final report on the implementation status of the FIF for the financial year 2023/2024 by July 15, 2024. Additionally, the CEC for Health was tasked with developing and submitting the operational manual for FIF utilization without delay.
The motion was seconded by Elizabeth Wambui, MCA for Kimorori Wempa, with additional emphasis from Nominated MCA Pauline Njeri on the need for broader fund distribution. Kangari Ward MCA Moses Mirara emphasized the importance of implementing all recommendations, urging the Leader of the Majority to oversee their execution.
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