manage a serious health crisis . Kindly share your take on the state of our healthcare system .
The government has done well in terms of keeping us informed and encouraging the adoption of behaviors that would mitigate the health risks of Covid-19 . We have seen the country does not have the adequate skill sets , the equipment , the facilities nor supplies distributed equitably across the country . The absence of universal health coverage makes the pandemic worse for all Kenya ’ s citizens as even those who can afford treatment and care are having to dig deep into their resources if severely ill . The pandemic should offer key lessons that would help us strengthen our present weak systems , it offers us an opportunity to develop the correct strategies as well as allocate resources and provide incentives for more investment into the health sector through a participatory process with the private sector and other key stake holders .
What in your opinion would give Kenyans from all walks of life opportunity to reach their full health potential ?
I have been an advocate of healthy living as the basis of avoiding premature illness and death which involves exercising , eating nutritious meals , adopting a healthy sleep pattern , having strong social networks and practicing spirituality for one ’ s mental health . Having said that the country still has a huge burden of communicable disease which can be addressed through the provision of adequate sanitation , improved quality of habitats , balanced and adequate diets if food security can be resolved and most critically have better healthcare for our children and ensuring no mother dies giving birth .
Share your considered thoughts on the state of corporate governance in the health sector and how this is impacting achieving health goals .
If one looks across the sector there is a lot of labor unrest which is a manifestation of how the sector is governed . The industry is labor intensive however the leaders in the sector have not appreciated the significance of how a well-motivated , trained and equipped workforce hold the key to transforming it . The constant disruption of services due to persistent strikes , go slows fueled by delayed pay and the working conditions of health workers perpetuates a culture of low morale and mediocrity which only lends itself to low talent attraction and retention and lack of public confidence in our facilities . Most critical is that our heath indicators and outcomes stagnate and therefore impact on our economy as only a healthy populace can create wealth .
Do you think our health institutions have progressive strategies ? If so why are we wallowing in mediocrity ?
Our country is not bereft of well meaning strategies what we lack is their execution which actually needs the right caliber of leadership which is visionary , able to take risks as well as commit resources and apply them as intended for the overall good of the country and its citizens .
Is there a leadership crisis in the health sector ? Are the bodies legislated to have oversight over health care institutions living up to the task ?
The country has very many well trained and competent individuals who can lead the health sector what is missing are the governance bodies being composed of individuals who have the right skills and competencies to drive the agenda and see it through . Healthcare for long has also not been adequately resourced and the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed our weak underbelly .
How do you see the impact of the Big 4 Economic Pillars on the cost of healthcare in Kenya ?
Our Big Four Economic Pillars if attained can drastically reduce the cost of healthcare on Kenya - one local manufacturing of equipment , drugs and other supplies would eliminate the need to import as well as the numerous middlemen , two affordable housing would move huge chunks of the population out of slum areas that are not sanitary , provide dignity to many families and reduce the spread of communicable diseases and the rising scourge of non-communicable diseases , thirdly if the country is food secure the population would be healthy through adequate nutrition and lastly access to universal health coverage would spur growth in the sector , attract more health workers and specialists as well as retain them thereby more competition which should impact better quality and lower costs of healthcare .
You were hounded out of a prestigious office unceremoniously for standing firm on corporate governance . Anything you would wish to share on that experience ?
That experience exposed me to the other side of how a good number of our institutions are governed and many other chief executives if they dared speak out would share their experiences that would not be any different from mine .
To what extend has that experience impacted on your person ? Are you still bitter ? Any advice for C-Suite aspirants ?
Lots of learning has come out of my experience and I have never been bitter about it and my advice to C-Suite aspirants is that the cultivation of trust and working in a culture of mutual respect and shared vision is essential and should be nurtured across board at all times .
Do you feel vindicated after the very same board that pushed you out got shoved off board ?
For a long time , the shareholders in the institution were not aware of their critical role in voting in a board that was engaged and connected to them . The activism by
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