The study “Sustainability starts with spending: public financial management lessons from Kenya’s universal health care pilot” by Alex Olateju Adjagba, James Odhiambo Oguta, Catherine Akoth, Solomon Kimutai Toweet, Peter Okoth, and Debra Jackson, published in BMC Health Services Research, explores how financial management practices influence the effectiveness and sustainability of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiatives. Conducted in Kenya, this research examines the intricate relationship between funding, accountability, and service delivery within the country’s UHC pilot program. Through a qualitative approach involving interviews and focus groups, the authors investigate how planning, budgeting, and financial controls impact health outcomes at the county level.
By uncovering the practical challenges and opportunities within Kenya’s public financial management (PFM) framework, the study provides valuable insights for policymakers, development partners, and health administrators. The findings emphasise that sustainable UHC depends not only on resource availability but also on efficient and transparent financial systems. Ultimately, this work underscores the importance of aligning fiscal policies with health sector goals to achieve equitable and lasting health reforms.
