Reena Khaiya Atuma
Health Systems Strengthening Technical Officer
March 27, 2024
Health Systems Strengthening Technical Officer
PRB Kenya is taking part in the Joint Learning Agenda on Health Financing and Universal Health Coverage conference in Upper Hill, Nairobi, Kenya. The conference brings together more than 20 African nations to discuss the health financing landscape in the region.
Reena Atuma, health systems strengthening technical officer, is presenting evidence-based strategies for civil society organizations looking to advocate for domestic financing for health. She also discussed the achievements and challenges on health financing initiatives at the subnational level and what more can be done to increase subnational health budgets amidst budget constraints.
Atuma will leverage PRB’s experience with local organizations and youth advocates, including the Youth Advisory Champions for Health (under the USAID-funded Stawisha Pwani project) and the Coast Region Budget Hub (hosted by International Budget Partnership in Kenya), which organizes civil society organizations and community-based organizations in Kenya’s six coastal counties. In Taita Taveta County, PRB supported the County Assembly to implement a new law allowing health facilities to keep revenue from user fees, helping guarantee a crucial new line of funding for health services. In Kwale County, PRB trained local journalists on reporting on subnational budgets and offered small grants to support reporting.
Learn more about the health financing community of practice in Africa here.