Abstract
Universal Health Coverage is where communities have access to all needed health services without financial hardship. In Kenya, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program was launched in December 2018, through a presidential decree. This study aimed to understand population needs, acceptability, and perceptions about UHC implementation. The study was undertaken in four pilot counties of Kisumu, Machakos, Nyeri and Isiolo between February and March 2019, using exploratory qualitative data collection techniques. However, this paper focuses on the County of Kisumu which was selected due to its high prevalence of infectious diseases. Respondents included women of reproductive age, men, youth, and elderly persons. In-depth interviews were conducted among health care providers and managers. Scientific and ethical approval was obtained from the Kenya Medical Research Institute’s Scientific and Ethical Review Unit (SERU). Consenting to participate was individualized. Analysis was done thematically. Findings suggest that UHC was understood variously by different groupings. Sensitization about the UHC programme was done through electronic media, by CHVs, education sessions, political class and outreaches. Planning for the programme was done by holding meetings, trainings for community registration and developing budgets. However there was a lot os misunderstanding, confussion and misconcepts about the UHC concept as it was seen as a means to seek for votes by politicians. Barriers for successful implementation included critically understaffed facilities.
Highlights
The right to health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, and political belief, economic or social condition
Experiences have shown rising incomes, increasing total health expenditures and an expanding role for government in improving access to health care (William et al, 2011). 1.1 Social Maketing as an Important Tool in Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Sell out Social marketing is widely used to influence health behavior (Evans, 2006)
From the findings above it can be concluded that the UHC implementation programme was not well thought out and highlights the importance of application of social marketing strategies for the success of a new program
Summary
The right to health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, and political belief, economic or social condition. Social marketers have often used this tool in a wide range of health communication strategies based on mass media; use of mediated (interpersonal) and marketing methods such as message placement promotion, dissemination, and community level outreach to sell a health program. Social marketing is defined as the application of proven concepts and techniques drawn from the commercial sector to promote changes in diverse socially important behaviors such as drug use, smoking, sexual behavior This marketing approach has an immense potential to affect major social problems if it is learned how to harness its power (Evan, 2006). Social marketers use a wide range of health communication strategies based on mass media; they use mediated, for example, through a healthcare provider, interpersonal, and other modes of communication; and marketing methods such as message placement for example, in clinics, promotion, dissemination, and community level outreach. This study sought to understand population needs, acceptability, perceptions and the extent of incorporating social marketing principals for the success of the UHC programme in Kisumu County
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