Some 17,000 households in Lamu County will benefit from a Sh.120 million Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) effective June, courtesy of the Lamu County government.
The programme which will benefit at least 70,000 people in the county from a population of 120,000 was one of the election pledges of the area governor Fahim Twaha. However, its implementation was delayed due to financial constraints.
But speaking during the Madaraka day celebrations in Amu Island on Saturday, Lamu Deputy Governor, Abdulhakim Aboud Bwana revealed that the UHC programme was finally on course. He took the opportunity to launch the program on behalf of the governor.
“Those who had applied for the county government sponsored health care programme will start benefiting from the initiative courtesy of the county government,” Bwana stated.
He divulged that the programme would cater for a family of one husband, one wife and five children and that each will receive a cover of Sh.6, 000 yearly.
“Among some of the components that are covered under the initiative include inpatient consultation services, dialysis, chemotherapy and physiotherapy,” he added.
The deputy governor said that drug rehabilitation is also covered under the programme and urged youths who are afflicted by the vice and would like to reform to come forward for assistance.
Bwana also revealed that those within the county who may have missed out on the UHC registration have a chance to register in the new financial year.
Separately, Kiunga MCA and Deputy county assembly speaker, Abdalla Babaad commended the county executive for launching the programme successfully and expressed confidence that the initiative would enhance delivery of health services delivery to the people.
He also revealed the county assembly was working on a policy paper to ensure legislation of the UHC initiative beyond the current governor’s term.
The Lamu County Chief Officer in charge of Medical services, Dr. Mohammed Badaawy said that the county government would ensure successful implementation of the programme, with yearly and timely funding of the same.
“We are also distributing NHIF cards in Lamu East, Mpeketoni, Hindi and Witu to ensure that no one is left out of the government sponsored heath care, which will set a precedent of serving the entire county rather than just a fraction of the population,” Dr. Badaawy said.
By Amenya Ochieng
