Kenyans have been urged to take advantage of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and access quality health services without unnecessary financial hardships.
Consequently, the NHIF Kisii Branch Manager Benard Kirui has called on wananchi to register for health insurance so that they can be treated together with their dependents.
Speaking during a 3-day medical camp organized by Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi in Kisii town, Kirui said some of the registered members had not declared their dependents in the scheme and as a result, they cannot access the services at the NHIF-accredited facilities.
He also noted some individuals are registered under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) rolled out by the Ministry of Health and NHIF but did not have the knowledge of the same.
“We need to be informed of the benefits of NHIF because we experience cases of people selling property to raise funds for hospital bills, only for them to visit the facility and discover the bills have been settled under the UHC Supa Cover,” said Kirui.
The Branch Manager urged the chiefs and local leaders to visit their respective NHIF offices and access the list of residents enrolled in UHC so that they could benefit from the medical cover.
Further, he lauded those who had invested in health care in Kisii, adding that the town is a center for referral and has subsequently lowered the cost of health care.
On his part, the MP underscored the need to educate the community on the treatment costs that NHIF covers so that families can be relieved of the financial burden tied to seeking treatment abroad for various terminal illnesses.
Kibagendi also encouraged the media to amplify mental health campaigns within communities, adding that most of the gruesome incidences reported countrywide can be attributed to mental health challenges.
Other partners who took part in the medical camp included the National Syndemic and Diseases Control Council, Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya Medical Training College Kisii Branch, Bosongo Hospital, Hema Hospital and the Kisii Eye Hospital among others.
By Mercy Osongo
