Health and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has said that in one month’s time, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) will have a new CEO.
Speaking at a funeral service in Bungoma over the weekend, the CS noted that when she took over the health docket, it was in a huge mess.
“When I was appointed the CS for Health, I found the Ministry in a huge mess. There was corruption both at Kemsa and NHIF, which I have managed to contain and will be installing a new CEO soon,” Nakhumicha noted.
To improve health delivery to the grassroots, Nakhumicha said the government has employed 100,000 community health promoters who have been equipped with first aid kits.
She said the community health promoters will be moving around the community to help offer first aid to the sick.
“The work of the community health promoters is not only offering first aid but also sensitising locals on the importance of enrolling in NHIF health cover,” she said.
The CS called on the locals to register in large numbers to access the health services without straining.
She revealed that the government intends to lower the NHIF subscription fee from Sh500 to Sh300 to allow many people to get enrolled.
She said the government has injected Sh4.1 billion into the Linda Mama programme to help expectant mothers deliver in a decent environment, cater for all antenatal care visits (ANC), pay for the delivery fees at the facility, and cater for four clinic visits after delivery.
By Ivy Namulanda and Roseland Lumwamu
