Healthcare Problems in Kenya:

• Inadequate Healthcare Financing: This is a significant issue in Kenya, with a large portion of the population lacking access to affordable healthcare. This leads to delayed or forgone care, particularly for chronic diseases and preventative services.
  • Policy Connection: This problem is directly linked to healthcare financing policies, including government funding, insurance coverage, and out-of-pocket expenses.
• Inadequate Healthcare Infrastructure: Many rural areas lack access to quality healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and trained healthcare professionals. This results in limited access to essential services and delayed care for emergencies.
  • Policy Connection: This issue is closely tied to resource allocation policies, infrastructure development policies, and policies related to the distribution of healthcare professionals across the country.
• Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs): The prevalence of NCDs like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease is rising rapidly in Kenya.
  • Policy Connection: Effective policies are needed to address risk factors for NCDs, such as promoting healthy lifestyles, controlling tobacco use, and reducing the consumption of unhealthy foods. Policies are also needed to ensure access to affordable and effective treatment for NCDs.

2. Political Competencies:

• Strengths: Based on Figure 4.1, I believe my strengths lie in:
  • Issue identification and analysis: I can effectively identify and analyze healthcare problems within my community.
  • Information seeking and processing: I am comfortable researching and analyzing health policy information from various sources.
  • Networking and relationship building: I possess good interpersonal skills and can effectively communicate with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Areas for Growth:
  • Policy development and advocacy: I need to further develop my skills in drafting policy briefs, advocating for policy change, and engaging in political advocacy.
  • Political action: I need to increase my involvement in political processes, such as contacting elected officials and participating in advocacy campaigns.

3. Importance of Political Competence in Nursing Education:

Nursing education has increasingly emphasized political competence to equip nurses with the knowledge and skills to:

• Advocate for their patients: Nurses are uniquely positioned to advocate for their patients’ needs and ensure access to quality care.
• Improve healthcare systems: By understanding and influencing health policies, nurses can contribute to the improvement of the healthcare system as a whole.
• Address social determinants of health: Nurses can play a crucial role in addressing social determinants of health, which have a significant impact on health outcomes.
• Promote health equity: Nurses can advocate for policies that promote health equity and reduce health disparities.

4. Barriers to Policy Participation for Nurses:

• Time constraints: Nurses often have heavy workloads and limited time for political engagement.
• Lack of knowledge and skills: Many nurses may lack the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively engage in policy advocacy.
• Lack of support from employers: Some employers may not support or encourage nurses to participate in political activities.
• Lack of confidence: Some nurses may lack confidence in their ability to influence policy decisions.

5. Solutions to Overcome Barriers:

• Provide training and education: Offer workshops and continuing education courses on health policy and advocacy.
• Create support networks: Establish networks and support groups for nurses interested in policy advocacy.
• Advocate for supportive workplace policies: Encourage employers to support nurse involvement in policy advocacy.
• Develop mentorship programs: Connect experienced nurses with those interested in policy advocacy.