The process of institutionalizing community health services in Kenya required strong leadership by the Ministry of Health, effective coordination and support of stakeholders, and alignment of community health with the political priorities at the national and decentralized government levels to facilitate adequate prioritization and financing of the community health strategy.
Background Pooled viral load (VL) testing with two different testing strategies was evaluated as a potential cost-saving method to monitor antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-infected children receiving ART in a resource-limited setting. Methods Archived samples collected from 250 HIV-1 infected children on first-line ART at various time-points post-ART initiation were evaluated for pooled VL testing using a minipool+algorithm strategy. Additionally, samples collected in real-time from 125 children on ART were assessed for virologic failure using a minipool strategy for pooled viral load testing. Virologic failure was determined as HIV-1 RNA viral loads >1500 copies/ml. Results Minipool+algorithm strategy for pooled VL testing of archived samples had estimated viral failure of 13.6%, with a relative efficiency (RE) of 23.6% (95% CI; 18.5, 29.4), and negative predictive value (NPV) of 88%. This testing strategy would have resulted in 24% fewer assays needed, for a cost savings of $1,180 per 100 samples. The minipool strategy for pooled viral load testing of samples obtained in real-time yielded an estimated 23.2% of samples with viral failure and a RE of 8.0 % (95% CI; 3.9, 14.2); however had a minipool+algorithm pooling strategy been used the RE would increase to 20%. Conclusions The minipool+algorithm strategy for pooled VL testing to detect virologic failure in HIV-1 infected children on ART was determined to be relatively efficient in detecting virologic failure, had high NPV, with substantial cost savings. Pooling strategies may be important components of cost-effect strategies to reduce rates of viral failure and resistance, thus improving clinical outcomes.
Background Primary healthcare (PHC) systems attain improved health outcomes and fairness and are affordable. However, the proportion of PHC spending to Total Current Health Expenditure in Kenya reduced from 63.4% in 2016/17 to 53.9% in 2020/21 while external funding reduced from 28.3% (Ksh 69.4 billion) to 23.9% (Ksh 68.2 billion) over the same period. This reduction in PHC spending negatively affects PHC performance and the overall health system goals. Methods We conducted a cost-benefit analysis and computed costs against the economic benefits of a PHC scale-up. Activity-Based Costing (ABC) on the provider perspective was employed to estimate the incremental costs. The OneHealth Tool was used to estimate the health impact of operationalizing PHC over five years. Finally, we quantified Return on Investment (ROI) by estimating monetized DALYs based on a constant value per statistical life year (VSLY) derived from a VSL estimate. Results The total projected cost of PHC interventions in the Kenya was Ksh 1.65 trillion (USD 15,581.91 billion). Human resource was the main cost driver accounting for 75% of the total cost. PHC investments avert 64,430,316 Disability Adjusted Life-Years (DALYs) and generate cost savings of Ksh. 21.5 trillion (USD 204.4 Billion) over five years. Shifting services from high-level facilities to PHC facilities generates Ksh 198.2 billion (USD 1.9 billion) and yields a benefit-cost ratio of 16:1 in 5 years. Thus, every $1 invested in PHC interventions saves up to $16 in spending on conditions like stunting, NCDs, anaemia, TB, Malaria, and maternal and child health morbidity. Conclusions Evidence of the economic benefits of continued prioritization of funding for PHC can strengthen the advocacy argument for increased domestic and external financing of PHC in Kenya. A well-resourced and functional PHC system translates to substantial health benefits with positive economic benefits. Therefore, governments and stakeholders should increase investments in PHC to accelerate economic growth.
Background: The 2019 United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage and the 2018 Declaration of Astana reaffirm the highest level of political commitment by United Nations Member States to achieve access to health services and primary healthcare for all. Both documents emphasize the importance of person-centered care in both healthcare services and systems design. However, there is limited consensus on how to build a strong primary healthcare system to achieve these goals. Methods: We convened a diverse group of global stakeholders for a high-level dialogue on how to create a person-centered primary healthcare system, using the country examples of the Republic of Kenya and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. We focused our discussion on four themes to enable the creation of person-centered primary healthcare systems in Kenya and Vietnam: (1) strengthened community, person and patient engagement in subnational and national decision making; (2) improved service delivery; (3) impactful use of innovation and technology; and (4) meaningful and timely use of measurement and data. Findings: Here, we present a summary of our convening’s proceedings, with specific insights on how to enable a person-centered primary healthcare system within each of these four domains. Conclusions: Following the 2019 United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage and the 2018 Declaration of Astana, there is high-level commitment and global consensus that a person-centered approach is necessary to achieve high-quality primary healthcare and universal health coverage. We offer our recommendations to the global community to catalyze further discourse and inform policy-making and program development on the path to Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
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