Media Briefs

76th WHA endorses Emergency, Critical and Operative Care (ECO) Services

The Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly (WHA) took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 21st to 30th May 2023. With the theme “WHO at 75: Saving lives, driving health for all,” this year’s Health Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution that called for timely additional global efforts to strengthen the planning and provision of quality emergency, critical and operative care (ECO) services.

How emergency response failed Baby Travis in his hour of need

Travis Maina died at the Kenyatta National Hospital on October 11, 2022, after being hit with a fork jembe in Ndula village, Thika East Kiambu.

Unfortunately, these cases were purely about poor responses to medical emergencies. The emergency was not what the child presented with, but the need for initial resuscitation and ensuring the patient is comfortable, meaning they are not in pain, even though the theatre was not available. 

Kenya Emergency Medical Care Policy 2020-2030

The Ministry of Health, today, launched the Kenya Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Policy 2020-2030 and the Kenya Emergency Medical Care Strategy 2020-2025, to promote healthcare among citizens in need of emergency treatment. The Kenya Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Policy 2020-2030 is the first-ever policy in Kenya that seeks to establish a working Emergency Medical Care (EMC) System as a key component of the healthcare system in the country. The policy also speaks to the World Health Assembly resolution WHA 72.16 of 21 May 2019 which urged member states to create policies for sustainable funding, effective governance and universal access to safe, high-quality, needs-based emergency care for all as part of universal health coverage. In developing this policy, the Ministry of Health (MOH) aims to ensure access to the highest standards of emergency medical care in Kenya as envisioned in The Constitution of Kenya (2010) and the Health Act (2017) which guarantees every Kenyan the right to emergency medical treatment.

The Ministry of Health, today, launched the Kenya Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Policy 2020-2030 and the Kenya Emergency Medical Care Strategy 2020-2025, to promote healthcare among citizens in need of emergency treatment. The Kenya Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Policy 2020-2030 is the first-ever policy in Kenya that seeks to establish a working Emergency Medical Care (EMC) System as a key component of the healthcare system in the country. The policy also speaks to the World Health Assembly resolution WHA 72.16 of 21 May 2019 which urged member states to create policies for sustainable funding, effective governance and universal access to safe, high-quality, needs-based emergency care for all as part of universal health coverage. In developing this policy, the Ministry of Health (MOH) aims to ensure access to the highest standards of emergency medical care in Kenya as envisioned in The Constitution of Kenya (2010) and the Health Act (2017) which guarantees every Kenyan the right to emergency medical treatment.

Machakos County: A Model for Emergency Care in the Counties

Machakos County is currently leading in the adoption of the Kenya Emergency Medical Care Policy 2020-2030 developed by the Ministry of Health. Based on the WHO Emergency Care Systems Framework, the Machakos County Emergency Medical Care System is proof that we can have a functioning emergency care system across the different Counties and across the Country.
Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation

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Strengthening emergency healthcare systems in Kenya to save lives.