The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) wants changes announced by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) suspended and a meeting of all stakeholders convened to discuss the way forward.
The union on Sunday expressed concern that the changes were likely to lock over 10 million workers out of the health cover scheme and discourage people from joining it.
Cotu Deputy Secretary-General Benson Okwaro termed the changes punitive, retrogressive, and irresponsible, claiming they were being pushed by individuals hell-bent on hampering the smooth running of NHIF.
Addressing reporters at Solidarity Building in Nairobi, Mr Okwaro said the changes are aimed at frustrating workers, who religiously make payments to the NHIF.
“It is absurd that the NHIF board has seen it, in its own wisdom, the desire to come up with far-reaching changes in the management of members’ benefits without any consultation. We will not sit back and watch NHIF mismanage its resources,” he said.
