Catholic Church’s Efficacy in Alleviating Health Care Provision Normative Challenges in the Catholic Diocese of Kericho, Kenya

Abstract

The study examined the efficacy of the Catholic Church in healthcare provision in Kericho Diocese, Kenya. It employed the descriptive research design to determine the respondent’s feelings and experiences in relation to the Catholic Church healthcare provision. A total of 384 randomly sampled primary respondents participated in the study through questionnaire. Additionally, key informants including the bishop, a medical coordinator, 9 priests, 4 healthcare personnel and 8 recovered patients were purposely selected for interviews. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively while qualitative data was analysed thematically. The study concludes that the teachings of the Catholic Church on healthcare provision centre on defence for human dignity, common good, solidarity and fundamental option for the poor. The teachings, however, were not fully reflected in the provision of the healthcare service in the Catholic Church healthcare facilities under investigation. Therefore, the church in the Diocese of Kericho has not been adequately effective in healthcare provision. Based on the conclusions, the study recommends that the Catholic Church health facilities in Kericho Diocese should provide health care services in accordance to the Catholic’s teachings on human dignity. The healthcare provision sector should implement personalist ethics of care by respecting the human person in the healthcare service provision.