By Nura Kabale
President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed that all publicly-financed insurance pools to be collapsed into a single pool.
Under the pilot program of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the four counties the president directed that Linda Mama programme and insurance for the old as well as other insurances paid by the government be collapsed to one.
The Linda Mama programme comprises of an expanded package of benefits to expectant women and their newborns for a year. To activate the cover, the mother is required to visit a contracted health facility for confirmation of pregnancy for the cover which expires 90 days after delivery.
This means that residents in the four counties would need a single card to access all services including maternity services.
He said that this would boost efficiency across the health sector especially after the roll-out of UHC across the 47 counties.
That however does not extend to the NHIF Supa Cover which requires members to pay a minimum of Sh500 to NHIF.
Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki said that the Supa Cover would cater to patients who seek treatment in private facilities or faith based hospitals.
“UHC targets the vulnerable and it is about making health affordable so those who can should still pay for the NHIF,” she said.
The President also directed that all public funded health institutions urgently undergo reforms to enable them facilitate successful delivery of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The President said that reforms should start with the National Insurance Fund (NHIF).
“In order to realize the envisioned successes of this initiative, we require an equitable and efficient strategic purchaser for health services for all Kenyans. I, therefore, direct accelerated institutional reforms, starting with the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), which should see that Kenyans who require care at the National Referral Hospitals, can access it,” Uhuru said.
He also called for reforms in the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to ensure sustained supply of essential medicines at all public health institutions.
“I therefore, direct reforms in the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to allow for an uninterrupted supply of quality essential medicines and medical commodities, leveraging on existing technology to forecast needs and manage logistics,” said President Kenyatta.
The President ordered the Ministry of Health to create the necessary institutions for the economic evaluation of investments in health and set tariffs that will shield Kenyans from market exploitation.
