The CHAK 2023 Annual Health Conference and Annual General Meeting was held on April 25-27 in Nairobi. The Annual Health Conference brought together CHAK member health units from around Kenya to deliberate on the critical topic of health care financing.

The Annual Health Conference had the theme “Healthcare financing; will faith-based health facilities attain sustainability?”

On the wings of the Annual Health Conference, CHAK hosted several media houses in a press briefing in which an appeal was made to NHIF and the CIC insurance consortium to pay member health units’ dues in 14 days. CHAK member health facilities have been experiencing cash flow difficulties as a result of the over Ksh2 billion they are owed by the health insurance firms. 

Launch of the CHAK Strategic Plan 2023-2028

CHAK Trustees launched the organisation’s new Strategic Plan 2023 – 2028 in a colourful and joyful ceremony.

The launch of the CHAK Strategic Plan 2023-2028 marked the beginning of a new six-year growth journey for the organization. The new plan with the theme Promoting universal access to quality health care in Kenya delivered through a resilient health system has six strategic focus areas as follows:

• Health service delivery

• Health systems strengthening

• Advocacy, partnerships and networking

• Sustainable financing and resource management

• Strategic information management

• Branding, marketing and communication

Annual Health conference

During the conference, several CHAK member health facilities shared their experiences on the journey towards achieving sustainability.

Maua Methodist hospital made a presentation on optimizing cashflow. Cashflow is the flow of money into and out of an institution in all its forms. The presentation focused on potential cashflow risks and leakages. AIC Litein Hospital gave the conference participants an overview of its journey towards building partnerships for expansion of health services. Through partnerships, the hospital has been able to introduce new services and expand infrastructure.

Africa Healthcare Network (AHN) gave an overview of its partnership with CHAK hospitals in providing best-in-class dialysis care at an affordable cost. The firm has partnered with several CHAK member health units to offer dialysis services in an outsourcing model. Other partners who made presentations at the forum were KCB, MBF and UNUMED, which offers software solutions for health facilities. MEDS in its presentation thanked CHAK member units for their support over the year 2022, and rallied the network to make more drugs and medical commodities purchases in 2023.

Dr Francis Kimani made a presentation on effectiveness of hospital supervision on the quality of healthcare services in Kenya. The presentation was based on findings of a study carried out in 25 hospitals in Central Kenya. Among other conclusions, the study found that daily supervision was associated with an increase in the overall satisfaction of patients with in/outpatient services. A key recommendation of the study was policies to ensure that three top hospital managers, such as the medical superintendent, nursing officer-in-charge, and hospital administrator be housed and reside within the hospital compound to provide close supervision to staff.

Dr Muthoni Magayu from MBF challenged CHAK member facilities not to forget the original purpose of the medical ministry, reaching people for Christ, in a presentation that focused on integrating spiritual ministry into health services.

Annual General Meeting

During the AGM held on April 27, 2023, Joel Jamhuri, CEO of PCEA Kikuyu Hospital, was elected to the CHAK Board as the new Chairman for Central/Nairobi/South East/Coast Region to replace Joseph Leo who relocated to US for further studies. Chairman Rt. Rev. Charles Asilutwa, Vice Chair James Maina, Treasurer Christine Kimotho, Vice Treasurer George Opundo, Eastern/North Eastern region Chair Rev. Samson Musyimi and Nyanza/South Rift region Chair Mr. Eric Langat were re-elected to serve a second two-year term.

Additionally, the AGM had the opportunity to express gratitude and bid farewell to long-serving CHAK Management Team member, Dr Patrick Kundu, and long serving member of the Board Finance Sub Committee Jacob Onyango.  

The AGM was told that the Association’s net asset value recorded an increase of Ksh45.9 million to close at Ksh357.68 million in 2022. The Board also reported that the lease for the land on which CHAK offices stand had been renewed after a long period of waiting and prayer.