Vihiga County on Tuesday launched a five-day mass registration exercise for residents to enrol in the Social Health Authority (SHA) insurance scheme.
Speaking as he flagged off vans that would enable mobile registration at the county headquarters, the Deputy Governor (DG) Wilberforce Kitiezo lamented that the county has so far enrolled about 140,000 people, representing 24 per cent of the targeted beneficiaries, stating that they wanted to attain 75 per cent at the end of the drive.
Kitiezo explained that the team would today cover Vihiga sub-county at Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) offices in Mbale town, while the two vans would undertake mobile mode.
He added that on Wednesday, the team would move to Sabatia Sub County at Chavakali market on Thursday in Emuhaya and Luanda at Mumboha trading centre and Luanda town, respectively.
The caravan will then go to Hamisi, the largest Sub County, and be there for two days, where on Saturday, the exercise will run concurrently with a medical camp organised by the area Member of Parliament (MP) Charles Gimose.
Kitiezo said they were using the 1,447 Community Health Promoters (CHPs), who would be going to every household to ensure that all the family members are registered.
The DG noted that having a higher enrolment would be advantageous, as the county would receive more capitation from the national government.
The Acting County Commissioner (CC) Florence Sitawa said the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) would collaborate with the county government officers to ensure the exercise succeeds.
Ms. Sitawa stated that she has instructed the Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs and village elders to work hand in hand with their counterparts from the county government in order for as many residents as possible to be enlisted for the SHA services.
On his part, the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Mugaga/Wamuluma ward, Dr. Fred Mavisi, who doubles up as the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health, has categorised 25 facilities as Comprehensive Health Centres (CHCs) across the county for the purpose of improving accessibility of the health services to the people.
He said they have prepared two Bills that would be discussed in the house this week, which, once enacted, would go a long way in boosting the health sector in the county.
By Sammy Mwibanda
