The Kitui County Governor, Charity Ngilu has flagged off 10 new ambulances under the universal healthcare plan to enable residents to access emergency response.
Speaking at Kitui Stadium on Monday, Ngilu said the ambulances will boost hospital to hospital referrals, enhance efficiency and help save lives by providing emergency services to the far flung areas across the eight sub counties of the county.
“This is one of the many measures undertaken by the County Government that have seen the health sector grow through efficient hospital equipment, Universal healthcare cover, improved technology and increased health personnel,” said the governor.
The Kitui County Health Insurance Cover (K-CHIC) launched on August 21, 2018 was designed to revolutionize health sector in the county and ensure all people have access to high quality health services.
Ngilu said that healthcare was a priority development agenda for the county and urged them to support the project by changing their work attitudes and practices, which may hinder success of the health plan.
“I decided to prioritize health sector in my agenda because all development is hugely dependent on the health of our people,” she said.
The governor said that her government would continue providing greater financial and moral support to health care, adding that the insurance cover will relieve residents of colossal hospital debts that often lead to detention of patients in public and private hospitals.
“My government allocated 30 percent of the annual budget to health in the 2018/19 Financial Year. This will guarantee access to specialized treatment by all, purchase ambulances for the 40 wards and ensure a workable, sustainable and practical cover for our people,” said Ngilu.
The insurance covers referrals within the county, mortuary services for up to seven days, ambulance services within the county, inpatient bills up to 24 hours after the discharge date, curative, promotive, preventive, rehabilitative and specialized services within the county in all public health facilities.
She said the county government would embark on a massive infrastructure, equipment and medical supplies to ensure that residents find the primary health services they require at the nearest health facility
Each principal member will be required to pay Sh.1000 annually to cover the entire household.
Any dependant wishing to obtain their own card separate from the principal’s would be required to pay Sh.200 while replacement for a lost card would cost Sh.500.
By Yobesh Onwong’a
