Murang’a County Governor Irungu’u Kang’ata has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to roll out a 240 million shillings scheme, which will enable members who are registered under the Kang’ata Care cover, access medical services in any NHIF accredited facility within the country.
According to Governor Kang’ata, beneficiaries of the programme have been accessing better medical services as compared to ordinary NHIF covers.
“Last year, the project covered 20,700 households. This year, registered members increased to 38,865 households due to the popularity of the programme. More than 120,000 residents will benefit,” said Kang’ata.
He said the expanded health scheme will benefit households who are registered in a County government programme which is spearheaded by the community urging other counties to replicate similar programmes in their regions to enable vulnerable families’ access free medical care.
“The programme is effective in ensuring access to quality medical care and I appeal to other Counties to establish similar programmes which will be of great benefit to the poor and who for long have suffered from access to treatment.” He said.
NHIF Chief Executive Officer, Elijah Wachira said the medical scheme is geared towards rolling out Universal Health Coverage in alignment with the Bottom -Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
“Murang’a was the first County to launch a unique Cover which aims at providing comprehensive healthcare services to the poor and vulnerable in Murang’a County,” said Wachira.
The health services packages offered will include inpatient and outpatient treatment, maternity, oncology, radiology, emergency evacuation, foreign treatment, surgical, dialysis and mental & behavioral health. Members will also have access to dental and optical treatment as well as other chronic illnesses.
Sally Namuye