We are doing everything to ensure Taifa Care works, Health CS Barasa says
According to CS, many of the challenges revolve around the system failures and lack of biometric identification,
Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa has said that the government is putting every effort into ensure Taifa Care is implemented countrywide.
The CS added that already, more than half a million Kenyans have benefitted from the programme.
Speaking in Nanyuki town while launching the tobacco and substance abuse campaign, Barasa said that many of the challenges revolve around the system failures and lack of biometric identification, especially for those in the nomadic setting who have a challenge with the ID registration, saying that the issue will be dealt with accordingly.
This means a lot will be put in place to ensure people are educated on what is required of them to ensure they register and have access to better health care.
She added that the Social Health Authority (SHA) system has been able to roll out more than 18 million Kenyans, which is three times the number of those who had been enrolled in the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), citing the government’s plan to ensure 100% rollout.
The CS pointed out that the ministry is aiming at addressing the challenges with the system and waiting time among patients to ensure affordability and accessibility.
She was launching a drug abuse campaign where she said that the ministry, in partnership with the tobacco board, will give funds to open up government rehabilitation centers for tobacco victims, which will be affordable compared to the private centers.
Tobacco Control Board Chair Naomi Shabaan said that they will be rolling out the program among 10 select counties that have been pointed out as hotspot areas in the next two months so that the program can be more accessible to the common mwananchi.
The CS who graced the 7th cycle of the ongoing nationwide sensitization, capacity building and public awareness campaigns against drug and substance abuse led by MOH was accompanied by Governor Joshua Irungu I visited Laikipia County to grace.
She also met key stakeholders from Nyeri, Nyandarua, Samburu and Laikipia counties during the workshop, in addition to conducting a spot check in Level 4 Laikipia County Hospital, subsequently a household observation and Community Health Promoters level engagement at Wiumiririe Dispensary.
In a post on her social media platform, the CS said she concluded the tour by visiting Nyahururu Level 5 Hospital having completed a Universal Health Coverage spot check, while visiting the surgical camp that was underway.
She also said that every Kenyan deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare under the Taifa Care initiative while urging the public to continue working together to strengthen the health systems for the benefit of all.
