Dear Dr. Mulongo,
Congratulations on your recent appointment as the Cabinet Secretary for Health. As you step into Afya House, you are entering a complex landscape filled with both challenges and opportunities. Your extensive experience in internal medicine and infectious diseases positions you well to address the pressing issues facing Kenya’s healthcare system.
The health sector is currently grappling with significant challenges, including a prolonged doctors’ strike, public dissatisfaction with healthcare accessibility, and systemic inefficiencies within the Ministry of Health. Recent protests by intern doctors underscore the urgent need for reforms in the internship program, highlighting the backlog and delays in postings that have frustrated many young medical professionals. Additionally, the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Shif system has created confusion among Kenyans seeking healthcare services, with a three-judge bench recently suspending the move.
Your appointment has been met with cautious optimism from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), which expressed hope that you will effectively address the ongoing disputes surrounding medical internships and the issues related to the Social Health Authority. KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah emphasized the importance of your role in ensuring quality healthcare systems and decent working conditions for health workers. This sentiment reflects the high expectations placed upon you as you take on this critical role.
To combat the challenges awaiting you, a multifaceted approach will be essential. Establishing open lines of communication with healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and interns, will be crucial. Collaborating with unions like KMPDU to understand their grievances and work towards sustainable solutions should be a priority. Your ability to engage with these stakeholders will be key to fostering a collaborative atmosphere that encourages dialogue and problem-solving.
Addressing the internship crisis will require you to prioritize timely postings for medical interns and tackle any legal or administrative hurdles that have delayed their entry into the workforce. Restoring public confidence in the NHIF will also be essential, involving transparency in operations and addressing allegations of fraud to ensure Kenyans can access necessary healthcare services without bureaucratic obstacles.
Your extensive background, including co-leading programs addressing outbreak-prone infections such as COVID-19 and Ebola while working with the World Health Organization (WHO), equips you with the expertise needed to implement long-term solutions. Conducting a thorough situational analysis of the health sector to identify root causes of ongoing issues and developing actionable plans with input from various stakeholders will be vital.
However, it is important to note that a consultative approach, while valuable, may not suffice in the face of entrenched interests and “cartels” that have historically plagued the ministry. You will need to balance diplomacy with decisive action to ensure that the reforms you propose are implemented effectively.
As you embark on this critical journey, Dr. Mulongo, the health of millions of Kenyans rests on your shoulders. The expectations are high, and the challenges are daunting. However, with your expertise and a commitment to inclusive governance, you have the potential to drive meaningful change. Your success will depend not only on your knowledge and skills but also on your ability to engage with various stakeholders and tackle the systemic issues head-on.
We wish you the best as you assume your responsibilities at Afya House. The opportunity to transform Kenya’s healthcare system is significant, and we are hopeful that you will rise to the occasion and make a lasting impact.
James Kilonzo Bwire is a Media and communication student at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology kakamega.
Email address kilonzojames5713@gmail.com.
Fredrick Kipchumba Chelimo 
Jerameel Kevins Owuor Odhiambo