3.2 million residents from kenya to get free health care services

Posted on : Thursday , 15th November 2018

3.2 million kenyans to get free health care coverage, 3.2 million residents are from four different countries, namely, Isiolo, Machakos, Kisumu and Nyeri.

These countries are expected to receive a range of free medical services starting December as a part of Pilot Programme.

These four countries will also get free services when they refer to National referral facilities during the year-log (UHC) Universal Health Coverage Pilot Programme.

This programme (Pilot programme) is being anchored on the National Hospital insurance paying the full cost of services offered to residents of the four counties.

President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday gave the UHC Inter-Governmental Committee his approval to finalise the launch plans and to come up with respective Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the Ministry of Health and the four counties.

The four counties will get a Sh3.17 billion conditional grant (each getting Sh800 million) to roll out the programme,” she said, adding that the counties will match the amount with own investments. About 80 per cent of the money will go into the purchase of drugs and basic medical equipment.

Some of the money would be used in hiring community health workers who play a pivotal role in the counties’ health systems. The decision to pilot the programme in the four counties was evidence-based and hinged on disease burdens.

Kisumu was identified because it leads in the infectious diseases category, especially HIV/Aids and tuberculosis while Machakos recorded the highest numbers of injuries mostly from accidents along the busy Mombasa-Nairobi highway and the many winding roads in the county.

Isiolo was picked to establish how the package would be suited for nomadic and migratory populations.

Nyeri is part of the pilot because it leads in the non-communicable diseases segment, especially diabetes