Murang’a county make Sh170 deal with NHIF for special health cover
The county government of Murang’a has made a deal with National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to provide enhanced health cover to more than 20, 000 households from poor backgrounds.
The cover is aimed at the vulnerable persons from the county who will also access dental and optical services from the local NHIF registered health facilities.
Murang’a county governor Irungu Kang’ata stated that the enhanced medical cover will cost the county administration Sh170 million annually after the county assembly passes the already tabled health bill.
Kang’ata, when signing a Memorandum of Understanding with NHIF, observed that the vulnerable in his county suffer when they seek medical care saying the special cover will be of great relief to residents with eye and dental complications.
“Normal NHIF cover does not cater for optical and dental services but we have negotiated with the NHIF in the special scheme to include the services to the beneficiaries of the special cover,” he noted.
The needy, in the new scheme will be allowed to access medical cover to any of the NHIF registered facilities within the county.
Kang’ata said the money which will be paid to the NHIF will eventually go back to the county government as the beneficiaries will be treated by public and mission hospitals in the county.
The beneficiaries will be selected and vetted by community leaders to ensure only those from poor families are included in the scheme.
The enhanced cover will also include last expense where Sh100, 000 will be paid for principal member, spouse or child and Sh50, 000 be paid in case of demise of the main parent or parent in-law.
