Description
Background: Kenya’s growing NCD burden demands sustainable financing and policy reforms to support integration into primary healthcare (PHC). The NCD Alliance Kenya, under the WDF21-1830 project, has engaged policymakers to strengthen fiscal space and embed NCD priorities in PHC planning frameworks.
Methods: From October 2024, structured consultations with the National Assembly, Senate, and National Treasury aimed to influence 1) fiscal policy reforms 2) prioritization of NCD budgeting in the AWPs, MTEF, and Finance Act, and 3) propose tax incentives towards NCD medicines and commodities. Simultaneously, county health leaders (CECMs, CDoHs, CoHs and CoG) were engaged to influence NCD integrations, PHC alignment, and budgetary allocations.
Results: The fiscal proposals were both economic and health-driven, with excise increases of up to 117% on alcohol, a 50% hike on tobacco products, and new levies targeting sugar-sweetened beverages - measures aimed at curbing the NCD burden and restoring revenue losses to inflation, in line with the IMF and World Bank recommendations to balance public health priorities with economic inclusion. An investment case demonstrated high returns: Diabetes interventions (ROI 5.2:1) and hypertension (ROI 9.7:1) averting deaths and preventing new cases cost-effectively. At county level, a 13-point CoG agenda emphasized sustainability beyond 2027 through phased donor transition models, improved financial planning, and leadership training. County Directors committed to ensuring drug availability and reorienting health workers, while CECMs resolved to allocate funds. Additional commitments supported SPICE integration, interoperable data systems, and stronger coordination platforms.
Conclusion: Fiscal reforms and policy advocacy are catalytic for PHC-centered NCD integration. Counties must prioritize budget allocations, medicine supply chains, and data systems (e.g., STEPwise Survey 2025) to sustain gains. Enablers like SHA reimbursements and revolving pharmacies—coupled with ROI-driven investments—can transform NCD care into an economic asset, advancing equity and Universal Health Coverage.
Keywords: Health financing, Policy advocacy, Primary health care, Fiscal reforms
| Country | Kenya |
|---|---|
| Organization | Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) |
| Position | Program Officer |
| Received a Grant? | No |
