The Primary Health Care Act

The Primary Health Care Act, 2023 (the Act) was enacted by the Parliament of Kenya on the 19th of October, 2023 and commenced on the 2nd of November, 2023. The Act aims to provide a framework for the delivery of, access to, and management of primary health care services and related purposes. It is organized into several parts, including preliminary, primary health care services, primary health care workforce, role of the national government in primary health care policy, management of primary health care services, and miscellaneous provisions.

The Act outlines the objects, interpretation, and definitions related to the Act, as well as the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders involved in the delivery of primary health care services. It also establishes provisions for the recruitment and retention of community health promoters and the role of the Ministry responsible for health in providing policy direction and support for primary health care services. Additionally, the Act includes provisions for the establishment and management of primary health care networks, community health units, and community health committees.

Furthermore, the Act includes transitional provisions, offenses and penalties, adherence to data protection, and regulations to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of the Act.

Overall, the Act aims to promote and fulfill the rights of all persons in Kenya towards the progressive realization of their right to the highest attainable standards of health care, and to establish a comprehensive framework for the delivery of primary health care services in the country.

The Act is available on the following link, i.e., http://kenyalaw.org:8181/exist/kenyalex/actview.xql?actid=No.%2013%20of%202023.