More than 23000 residents of Busia County will benefit from free NHIF cover that will be catered for by the county government in partnership with Ampath, Living Good and other health stakeholders.
Speaking during the launch of NHIF Biometric registration for the vulnerable population at Nambale Sub- County hospital, Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi challenged the residents to take a personal initiative and register for medical cover to avoid selling properties to cater for huge hospital bills.
“The convenience to get access to better and affordable health care services is one of the best ways of ensuring and insuring lives and prosperity for Busia residents,” said Mulomi.
“Having health insurance will ensure that all medical bills are conveniently paid for, thus ensuring that families don’t sell their assets to foot such bills,” he added.
The NHIF biometric registrations which started last Friday shall continue for the next five days to enable the beneficiaries to be enrolled and have a test for it.
“This process will also reduce fraud in our system,” Mr. Mwangi Kariuki, who was representing NHIF CEO stated.
Kariuki encouraged the public to register for the NHIF noting the benefits one is likely to realize whenever they are in critical conditions.
“All necessary medical treatment and services provided by or on the order of a clinician to the Member when admitted to an NHIF Accredited Hospital offering services under levels are defined by the Kenya Essential Package for Health (KEPH),” said Kariuki.
“The cover includes hospital bed charges, nursing care, diagnostic, laboratory or other medically necessary facilities and services, physicians, surgeons, anaesthetists, or physiotherapists fees, operating theatre charges, specialist consultations or visits and all drugs, dressings or medications prescribed by the physician for in-hospital use,” he added.
The outpatient cover shall include but is not limited to consultation, Laboratory investigations, Drug administration and dispensing, Dental health care services, Radiological examination, Nursing and midwifery services, Minor surgical services, Optical care and any other benefit as approved by the NHIF Board of management.
Nambale Sub County Deputy County Commissioner Caroline Onchoka urged residents to embrace and be enrolled to avoid being dragged into poverty as a result of huge medical bills.
By Absalom Namwalo
