The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Council of Governors (CoG) have criticized a Daily Nation report published on December 3, 2024, regarding the National Equipment Services Program (NESP), labeling it “erroneous and untruthful.”
In a joint statement, Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa and CoG Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi clarified the transition from the Medical Equipment Service (MES) program to a Fee-for-Service (FFS) model. They emphasized that the new model is designed to enhance healthcare delivery while ensuring financial and operational sustainability.
According to the statement, the FFS model, introduced after the expiration of the MES program in December 2023, shifts the financial responsibility for acquiring, maintaining, and upgrading advanced medical equipment from county health facilities to contracted vendors.
“The Fee-for-Service model allows vendors to supply, maintain, and upgrade advanced medical equipment at no upfront cost to county health facilities, enabling counties to focus their resources on patients,” the statement read.
Unlike the leasing model reported by the Daily Nation, the FFS approach emphasizes sustainability, affordability, and transparency while addressing gaps in equipment availability and fostering skill development among healthcare workers, it further explains.
The MoH and CoG explained that the transition was guided by resolutions from the 10th Extraordinary Summit, which formed a technical committee to oversee the process.
“To operationalize the FFS model, advertisements were made in MYGOV bulletin, the Ministry of Health website, and the public procurement portal in June 2024. Tender submissions were received and evaluated with representatives from both MoH and CoG present,” the statement clarified.
MoH and CoG also says that following a rigorous evaluation process, contracts were awarded to seven qualified bidders in October 2024, adhering strictly to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act.
Under the FFS model, vendors are responsible for maintaining the equipment and providing ongoing training to county health workers to ensure they can operate advanced technologies confidently.
The statement revealed that county governments signed the FFS agreements voluntarily under the intergovernmental participatory framework, with the Social Health Authority (SHA) reimbursing facilities for services rendered based on gazetted tariffs.
“This model fosters transparency, efficiency, and sustainability while enhancing healthcare delivery nationwide,” the statement emphasized.
Both the MoH and CoG underscored the importance of the FFS model in building on the successes of the MES program.
“By focusing on long-term sustainability and empowering counties, the model seeks to transform healthcare delivery and accessibility across Kenya,” the statement concluded.
