The joint Health ministries, in partnership with the Vision 2030 directorate, detailed an ambitious project aimed at digitising the industry's data systems.The project, whose pilot phase has already begun, will also rope in Kenyatta National Hospital.

The aim is to make up to date data available to users and reduce the wastage and largesse associated with paperwork.

Two things stood out: the involvement of the Vision 2030 directorate, and the final acceptance of the ministries that paperwork is killing efficiency and productivity.

It is estimated that up to Sh1 billion goes into paperwork and associated administrative and storage expenses annually.This amount could be better spent elsewhere.

For those in the health industry, Vision 2030 objectives can be grouped mainly into two projects; public and private.

The former entails strengthening, reforming and improving the public healthcare system, training and retaining more doctors locally etc.

The latter is by creating a good environment to foster and spur private investors' participation.

Hopefully, 18 years down the road we will not see patients sleeping on hospital floors or sharing beds; we will not have non functional and obsolete equipment in our hospitals; and we will not endure staff shortage due to lack of motivation.
Some of these objectives come through the ongoing public service reforms.These include the recent pay increase for healthcare workers, recruitment of doctors and the pending implementation of the agreed return to work formula, and improvement of hospital facilities.

The recent launch of family planning programmes shows that the Vision 2030 directorate has finally awakened to the population growth time bomb.However, some people feel the measures have fallen short of expectations.

The second component acknowledges the important role played by the private sector in the healthcare delivery system.It is hoped that the vibrant and improved private sector will take care of gaps not covered by the government. Already, Kenya boasts of a vibrant private healthcare system.

Indeed, only a handful of countries on the African continent rival the private sector's offering. With increasing participation of private investors, the sector is set to grow rapidly.

Towards this end is the proposed Health City metropolis which will host the best healthcare facilities both in the country and the continent.

The metropolis will also host pharmaceutical industries, bio-technology research and development companies, as well as medical equipment manufacturers.

The titanium and other minerals being exploited in the county will come in handy when manufacturing plants that make titanium-based medical devices and implants are set up.

Realign programmes:

Attaining this is a long shot indeed. Eighteen years is a short time for setting up projects of this magnitude.We risk suffering the fate of the Millennium Development Goals, some of which are yet to be met.

In contrast to the Ministry of Information and Communication whose drivers have been aggressive in pushing for setting up a metropolis, we are yet to start.

The fact that land has been set aside for Konza city is proof of their hard work.
Few people in the healthcare sector have read what the Vision 2030 document has in store for us.That is why policy makers at the  twin health ministries need to start reading the document and realign their programmes with it.