Kairuki irked over Sh5 billion left unused for health sector

Arusha. Nearly Sh5 billion allocated for the implementation of infrastructure projects in the health sector from 2021 have not been spent.

The money was sourced from development partners for projects to be implemented from January 2021 to January this year.

The minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Ms Angela Kairuki said the government is concerned by the drawback.

“We are in dire need of funds, yet some that has been secured is not utilized. We should ensure timely expenditure of secured funds,” she said when opening a meeting on evaluation of HIV/Aids projects.

A total of Sh32.2 billion was channelled to the local government authorities (LGAs) between January 2021 and January this year to finance health infrastructures.

However, Ms Kairuki said only Sh4.9 billion of the Sh32.2 billion kitty could not be utilized on intended projects much to the ministry’s dismay.

She expressed her concern when addressing a meeting of medical administrators, HIV/Aids coordinators and other health sector officials that was preceded by the launching of a Prime Vendor Management Information system (PVMIS).

The minister insisted that while the ministry was in dire need of funds to upgrade the health infrastructures, it was not proper if secured funds are not spent for the intended purpose.

She said there were several health centres across the country which were in a state of decay needing massive rehabilitation.

According to her, some Sh116 billion will be spent in the coming financial year (2023/24) on procurement of medical equipment up from Sh69.5 billion allocated in the 2022/23 fiscal year.

Through Sh52 billion secured from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have been spent on the purchase of 528 vehicles, of which 70 have been delivered.

Some 317 motorcycles have been purchased as the rest of funds has been spent on rehabilitation and upgrading of hospitals and health centres.

The government has also recruited 8,000 health workers to fill the existing gaps in health facilities under the LGAs across the country.

Speaking at the meeting, deputy permanent secretary Charles Mahera said a total of 184 LGAs in the country are covered under the evaluation exercise.

He added that the government was keen on implementation of health projects to raise the country’s status in universal health.

Arusha Regional Commissioner John Mongela said investment in health infrastructures was key to improving health services.

He called on stakeholders in the sector to go for digital solutions through capacity building for the staff using medical equipment.

Digital solutions would also enhance transparency and update health sector players to correct statistics in real time.

Medical officers in the districts and regions should also ensure that newly-built health centres were up and running.