The government has released Sh6billion to the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) for the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme amid growing concern over alleged corruption at the national health insurer.
This is the largest allocation to the graft tainted NHIF as the government scales up efforts to realise provision of quality and affordable healthcare for all under the UHC programme.
NHIF is headed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Peter Kamunyo.
UHC is one of the President Uhuru Kenyatta’s legacy projects under the four delivery pillars of; food security, affordable housing, universal health care, manufacturing and Job creation.
Health Principal Secretary Susan Mochache said at least one million Kenyan families have already been registered for the programme since it started and a further 220,000 would be registered this year as the state inches towards the target of four million families.
Mochache made the remarks at the Baolala Health Centre in Malindi Sub County.
“Since the programme started, we have registered about one million poor families. This year, we are targeting to register 220,000 and because of this, the government set aside Sh6 billion which it has already released to the NHIF so that those registered can start getting the services.” Mochache said.
She encouraged Kenyans to register with the national health insurer by paying Sh500 per month in order to access services in public and private health facilities with ease.
She said the government was in talks with telco operator Safaricom with a view to enabling Kenyans to make daily payments to NHIF, noting that with such an arrangement, registered NHIF members would be able pay Sh17 per day.
A civil society organization has already petitioned for the removal of Kamunyo from office for allegedly promoting corruption and other irregularities at the agency.
The Nubians Rights Forum accuses Kamunyo of embezzlement of public funds, unjustified backdating of salaries and making irregular appointments and transfers of staff.
Through an affidavit sworn by Shafi Ali Hussein, the executive director of the organisation at the Employment and Labour Relations Court, Kamunyo has also been accused of abusing his office by allegedly directly discriminating against well-deserving and hardworking members of staff.
Through Okatch and Partners advocates, the petitioners said that the Fund will face inevitable crisis if Kamunyo is not replaced.
“This matter is of extreme public interest because the issues complained of herein clearly contravene the Constitution and the law and are contrary to public policy,” the petitioner argues.
While in Malindi, Mochache expressed joy that all the counties had registered families under the programme, adding that those who piloted the programme had started benefitting.
“Through the NHIF card, the beneficiaries are able to access medical services in various hospitals without paying anything,” she added.
The PS said Kenya was on course to ensure that all citizens access health care, noting that the rate at which the programme was being implemented would make UHC succeed faster than other countries which have already achieved the same.
“Many countries have taken a long time to achieve UHC, but if we continue implementing the programme at this rate, we shall be able to achieve our target of 4 million Kenyan families in record time,” she said.
“For those who can afford, we are making it easier for them to make payment and also to ensure that through laws that have been passed by Parliament to the effect that those who can afford must join NHIF so that they are not impoverished because of health issues,” she added.
Kilifi Health Executive Committee Member (CECM for Health Karisa Dadu urged Kenyans to embrace preventive measures in order to be in good health, thus avoiding spending too much money seeking medical care in health facilities.
National Aids Control Council Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ruth Masha urged expectant mothers to seek medical attention in order to reduce the rate of mother to child transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS.
Alice Charo and David Gambo, who are beneficiaries of the NHIF urged fellow Kenyans to register with the insurer saying they had received assistance from the fund when they were sick.
Charo, a green grocer in Mtwapa, said she underwent surgery to remove fibroids without paying anything, since she had an NHIF card, while Gambo said his wife received maternity services through the NHIF Linda Mama card.