Remarks · 26 June 2023
Good Morning,
It is my pleasure to join you for this year’s annual parade and inspection. This occasion is a commemoration of St John’s Day, a celebration of the milestones and achievements of this organization and a chance for all of us, including me your patron, to rededicate ourselves to the values and goals of St John Ambulance in Kenya.
Today, I commemorate this day with you as the Chief Patron of St John’s Kenya, an honour that I accept with humility and respond to with a genuine eagerness to support you and to strengthen emergency and prehospital care in Kenya.
The cultural consensus among most opinion shapers is that we live in selfish times, that most people in this time are looking out for themselves and that the values of selflessness and service to others have become almost extinct.
The existence of St John’s ambulance and over 26,000 volunteers puts this thinking to shame. There are still incredible people out there who want to make a difference in communities across Kenya and I applaud each and every volunteer for your generosity and kindness.
Emergency and pre-hospital care is an integral component of quality health care service. We are committed to, as expressly spelled out in our agenda, to the provision of quality, affordable healthcare and the achievement of Universal Health Coverage in Kenya, that is why preventive healthcare is important.
We are presently developing policies and strategies to guide implementation of emergency and prehospital care.
At the same time we are developing a comprehensive architecture for health financing including an Emergency Medical Fund to enhance access to emergency medical care for Kenyans irrespective of their socio-economic status.
I applaud St John for the leadership and commitment to supplementing government efforts in provision of emergency and pre-hospital medical services to Kenyans during emergencies and disasters including the COVID19 pandemic. Your gallant service has saved thousands of lives and I thank on you on behalf of a grateful nation.
I am pleased to hear that we share a belief in empowerment from the grassroots.
I am pleased to learn that your target to ensure every household in Kenya has an individual who is trained in first aid across the country. This is the Bottom-Up approach in full effect.
I acknowledge St. John contribution to the development of key Government policies including the Emergency Medical Care Policy (2020-2030), the Emergency Medical Care Strategy (2020-2025) and in collaboration with the Kenya Medical Training College training curricula for emergency medical technicians, ambulance drivers and first aid persons.
St. John Ambulance has made strides in strengthening emergency response through a community approach. We are taking the same approach in our quest to transform healthcare through a focus on preventive care. We believe community level management of minor ailments will free up crucial health resources and promote healthy living.
Through Government funding St. John has made significant progress: acquired six advanced life support ambulances and established two trauma clinics in Emali and Kinungi, purchased training equipment and trained 10,100 first responders including boda boda operators, community volunteers, residents of informal settlements, individuals in proximity to blackspots, and other high-risk regions.
I am pleased to announce that in continuation of this partnership with government and in response to your request, I have allocated one acre of land to St John to facilitate relocation from the current premises. I urge Kenyans of goodwill and philanthropists to support the incredible volunteer work of St John Ambulance.
Road accidents are the most common emergency situations in our country. I acknowledge the contribution of St John Ambulance towards the provision of quality emergency care services on our highways through 17 rescue centres spread out across the Kenya.
I ask the Ministries of Health, Transport and County Governments to grow and enhance the collaboration with St. John Ambulance to ensure seamless provision of emergency, pre-hospital and ambulance services to Kenyans.
I commend the entire St John family for what you have achieved over the last one year. I also applaud all the volunteers for your patriotism, and humanity. And I wish St John even more success in all your future plans and endeavours.
Thank You. God Bless You.