Health CAS Aman launches Emergency Medical Policy 2020-30

By Mourice Seretta

Health Chief Administrative Dr. Rashid Aman today launched the Emergency Medical Care Policy 2020-2030. He also inaugurated the Emergency medical care steering committee.

This launch is a great milestone in the health sector in strengthening structures, to meet the multifaceted demands for provision of efficient emergency and disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and building resilience in the health care system.

The Kenya Emergency Medical Care Policy (2020-2030) aims at establishing a vibrant Emergency Medical Care system as a key component of Kenya’s health care system and as an enabler to achieving UHC.

The Emergency Medical Care policy is a precursor to creation of an Emergency Medical Fund as a fulfilment of National assembly resolution that Ministry of Health sets up an EMC fund to assist those in emergency treatment.

“The policy addresses all issues and I believe with the COVID-19 pandemic waves dynamics and evolution, the need to fast track its implementation is a priority,” said Dr. Aman.

The implementation of the policy focuses on priority areas such as the investment on EMC infrastructure, Emergency Command and Control Centers; Ambulance Coordination System and dispatch centers; information and communication technology and strengthening leadership and governance at all levels.

At the  onset of the pandemic, MOH initiated a single short-code toll- free emergency access number, 719 which was supported by a dedicated 24-hour. The launch of Call Centre with trained healthcare providers that enabled the ministry to coordinate the care of COVID-19 patients across the country.

Dedicated COVID-19 ambulances were also dispatched through this service to provide emergency care and evacuation for patients across the country to dedicated treatment centres.

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