Description
Background:
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and hypertension are a growing driver of morbidity and mortality in Kenya, placing significant pressure on primary healthcare (PHC) systems. Financing gaps at PHC facilities limit the availability of essential medicines, disrupt continuity of care, and undermine health outcomes. The Non-Communicable Disease Impact Initiative (NCDI) is an ongoing pilot across 50 PHC facilities in 10 counties, testing catalytic health financing models to embed sustainable NCD services at the PHC level.
Methods:
Launched in 2023, the NCDI provides seed financing for essential NCD medicines while enabling PHC facilities to align procurement with reimbursements from Kenya’s Social Health Authority (SHA). Co-investment frameworks with county governments reinforce local ownership, while digital tools track financing flows, commodity availability, and patient outcomes. This abstract presents preliminary findings from ongoing implementation (2023–2025).
Preliminary Results:
Baseline assessments indicated medicine availability averaged 45% for diabetes and 42% for hypertension. Over 85% of facilities relied on paper-based inventory systems, and no structured financing streams for NCDs existed. Preliminary results show medicine availability has increased to >80% across participating facilities, with 70% now adopting digital inventory systems linked to dispensing records. Over half of sites have successfully applied SHA reimbursements to sustain commodity procurement. Early patient-level data indicate improved retention in care (>60%) and upward trends in treatment outcomes, with better control of blood pressure and blood glucose.
Conclusion:
Preliminary findings from this ongoing pilot suggest that catalytic financing at PHC level can secure commodity availability, strengthen supply chains, and leverage national insurance reimbursements for sustainability. By embedding NCD care into county health budgets and digitized systems, the NCDI provides early evidence of a scalable pathway to strengthen NCD management within PHC in low- and middle-income settings.
Keywords:
Health Financing, Primary Health Care, Non-Communicable Diseases, Universal Health Coverage, Kenya
| Country | Kenya |
|---|---|
| Organization | Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) |
| Position | Program Manager |
| Received a Grant? | No |
