Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia yesterday led a street campaign in Narok town to sensitize residents on the new Social Health Authority (SHA), in a bid to entice every resident to register for the health scheme.
Lotiatia said they have joined hands with health officials from the county government and all the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) to sensitize people on the new health scheme, which was expected to boost health care in the country.
He noted that a great number of people had already registered for SHA but there was still a need to continue sensitizing the members of the public to ensure no one was left out.
“We are all aware that NHIF was phased out. All stakeholders have joined hands to sensitize members of the public so that they can benefit from this health scheme,” he said.
“We have a total of eight sub counties and each county has been asked to form a committee that will help to spear head the registration of persons in their jurisdictions,” noted the Commissioner.
Narok North Chairman of Council of elders Michael Ole Sadera, who joined the commissioner in sensitizing the public, asked residents not to ignore the directive given by the government.
He noted that there has been an increase in chronic diseases in the country that are very expensive to treat and the only way to benefit was by registering for SHA.
“The government has formulated a way to help all residents to benefit from health services without incurring much cost, I ask you to register so that you can benefit,” said Ole Sadera.
He told off those who were politicizing the initiative saying good things like the new health scheme should be embraced by everyone.
“When you see a County Commissioner moving around in your midst to sensitize you on the new health scheme, this is a good thing that the government is introducing to you. I request you to register,” he said.
Peter Kuria, a boda boda operator in Narok town thanked the government for introducing SHA saying the government cannot lead its people to a way that is not beneficial.
“Let us be positive and register for this new scheme, I believe it will help the vulnerable who could not afford to pay for health services,” reiterated Kuria.
SHA is designed to ensure every Kenyan resident access a comprehensive range of quality health services they need without financial constraint.
One can dial *147#2 and follow the simple steps to register.
By Ann Salaton
