- The launch of the program was graced by Governor Kimani Wamatangi and National Health Insurance Fund representatives.
- The program has been termed a game-changer in healthcare in the county.
Image: AMOS NJAU
Kiambu County has launched the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program to boost accessible and affordable quality health care for the people.
The launch of the program was graced by Governor Kimani Wamatangi and National Health Insurance Fund representatives.
The program has been termed a game-changer in healthcare in the county.
The program is expected to cover over 500,000 residents in the County who will be covered at County's cost.
Speaking during the event, Wamatangi thanked stakeholders including NHIF, Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa), and the County assembly committee on health for helping the county health care.
Wamatangi said that the UHC initiative will herald the transformation of the health sector in the county, making a great impact on the improvement of the county’s health indicators.
He noted that the UHC roll-out will ease access to health services by all residents without risking their financial hardship especially those from vulnerable backgrounds.
The Governor revealed that his administration was committed to providing quality and affordable health care to all residents through the UHC program by allocating more resources to the health department.
“UHC initiative will directly address healthcare concerns that before, were not affordable to all county residents. This is a major step towards affordable healthcare for the residents and the county is keen to see its full implementation,” Wamatangi said.
Wamatangi said that the UHC program will see major policy as well as administrative reforms in the County health sector to allow all electorates access to quality and affordable medical coverage.
Kiambu Health executive Joseph Murega called on locals to register with NHIF noting the locals stand to benefit from specialized services that will be offered at the county hospitals.
Murega said that the beneficiaries will have access to health services such as communicable and non-communicable disease management, substance abuse rehabilitation, emergency services, and cancer treatment to name but a few.
“Many families who have not enrolled with NHIF have had to sell their property or hold fundraisings to offset medical bills which would have otherwise been sorted by the insurer,” he said.
He said that Kiambu hospitals will get Sh60 million in drug supplies from Kemsa.
He said that the medicine will be distributed to all County hospitals so that locals can get the services they deserve.
He said the county is ready to partner with various stakeholders to ensure proper service delivery.
Kiamwangi MCA Kung’u Smart who graced the event also hailed the governor for the launch of the project.
He urged the County health department to ensure that hospitals are well-equipped with medicines and better services.
He further urged the governor to wipe out cartels in the health sector that derails service delivery.