Civil servants in Trans Nzoia County have hailed the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) for improved services.
The workers who were led by area County Commissioner (CC) Mr. Samson Ojwang, expressed satisfaction at a monitoring and evaluation for the comprehensive insurance scheme forum held at a Kitale hotel on Monday.
The meeting, which was convened by the Department of Public Service in conjunction with NHIF, brought together National Government Administration Officers, including clerical officers, assistant chiefs, chiefs as well as civil servants in various cadres.
Addressing the gathering, Ojwang advised the government workers to be properly acquainted with the demands of the comprehensive insurance scheme.
“We are aware that NHIF has transited from capitation to fees for service mode. Thus the need for us to properly understand what this entails,” remarked Ojwang.
In order to fully benefit from the health insurance scheme, the CC advised civil servants to opt for public hospital facilities when choosing health providers for themselves and their dependents.
“Besides receiving quality healthcare services at affordable rates, this will also ensure you and your dependents use the cover, especially the outpatient one, throughout the financial year without exhausting the limit,” he added.
The county administrator urged the civil servants present to help the government and NHIF to reach out to ordinary citizens who were yet to enlist with the insurer.
“We are asking all of us, especially local administrators, to mount awareness campaigns back in the villages in order to attract and register majority of our residents to NHIF,” directed Ojwang.
“Three years ago beneficiaries had several issues with NHIF. However, I am happy to note most of issues that were raised then have been addressed following regular evaluation forums with the stakeholders,” Ojwang added.
Speaking at the event, NHIF Kitale Manager Mr. Amos Kipkoech assured NHIF contributors and beneficiaries of improved services.
According to Kipkoech, Trans Nzoia County boasts of about 400,000 contributors to the fund with an estimated 1 million beneficiaries, inclusive of the dependents.
By Maurice Aluda
