•Ngilu urged leaders to visit the public hospital to oversee, the situation and what needs to be improved.
•Only 20 per cent of Kenyans have any form of health insurance even as the country is geared toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
Image: BRIAN OTIENO
Azimio coalition leader Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua on Monday evening launched the Azimio manifesto at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
The event was attended by Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance leaders among them Raila's running mate Martha Karua and Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka among others.
During the launch, Charity Ngilu said the Azimio government will complete any pledges made during the campaigns in regard to Healthcare.
“Through ‘Baba Care’ we will ensure Kenyans get better access to health facilities and healthcare. Healthcare should be inexpensive for the common mwananchi and we, as Azimio we will ensure that happens,” Ngilu said.
Healthcare in Kenya is financed by a combination of direct government expenditure, contributions to the NHIF and private health insurance, with the government being the main financier.
However to date, a large population of the country struggle to afford health services with private hospitals minting billions in profit, even as the majority Kenyans lack health insurance.
Only 20 per cent of Kenyans have any form of health insurance even as the country is geared toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Ngilu mentioned that the government will ensure there are mobile clinics that will be available in places that cannot be accessed easily.
"It is doable 'inawezekana',“ she said.
She also urged leaders to visit the public hospital to oversee, the situation and what needs to be improved.
On matters of Nutrition Ngilu said the government will ensure good nutrition and pursue food security of the Azimio coalition administration.
Under a program dubbed “Baba Care”, which is in his 10-point agenda Raila Odinga says his administration will provide health insurance cover for all Kenyans.
According to Raila, Baba Care will scale up the Universal Health Care pilot programs to the rest of the country.
He said it will address the all-consuming strain that accompanies the ill-health of a family member.