Government with its health sector development partners have come up with a plan to establish 240 health posts across the country in the next three years. Health posts are the lowest medical facilities that are established at the cell level. The programme’s objective is to increase access of quality essential medicines and basic healthcare for around two million people per year in rural communities. The partnership will involve the Ministry of Health, Family Health Foundation, One Health Store Holdings (HSH), Ecobank and Glyne Smith Kline (GSK).However, the programme’s overall target is to set up 500 health posts in seven years in alignment with Vision 2020.According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, the health facilities will be run by qualified nurses. The franchise will give nurses access to finance, and training in finance management.GSK has already committed £900,000 to HSH to get an initial 60 health posts up and running, reads the statement in part.GSK will also provide £1.8million in new funding as an interest free loan to enable HSH expand the franchise network by a further 180 health posts under the terms of the new partnership.Ecobank and GSK will both contribute to a bursary to enable continued nurse training and development, while HSH will provide training, mentoring and expertise to support the nurses. The ministry will avail the premises that will house the posts. According to the statement, negotiations are underway with Ecobank to enable nurses acquire low interest loans through donor subsidies.The Minister of Health, Dr Agnes Binagwaho, welcomed the partnership, saying it will go a long way in providing quality health services to the communities. “The partnership will add value to the quality of health care by bringing health care services closer to the communities.”
