ADVERTISEMENT
Africanian
  • News
  • News 24/7
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • World
    • US
    • Russia
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • America
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
Africanian
No Result
View All Result
Home Business

Kenya: Uhuru promises to ‘ruthlessly’ fight graft at Ministry of Health

President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday promised to “ruthlessly” deal with corruption in the Ministry of Health.

in Business
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
0
Kenya: Uhuru promises to ‘ruthlessly’ fight graft at Ministry of Health
0
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Whatsapp

Speaking in Mombasa during the launch of biometric registration for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) beneficiaries, Mr Kenyatta said anyone who steals from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) or abuses its processes will face the full force of the law.

“I urge the NHIF to ensure the precious funds committed to its custody by subscribers and supporters are utilised with utmost transparency and accountability,” Mr Kenyatta said.

The UHC beneficiaries will be under the NHIF.

He directed the ministry and the Attorney-General to speed up legislation that will codify reforms in law and foster the sustainability of the fund.

President Kenyatta urged lawmakers to support the initiative instead of engaging in debates.

More

Beijing to Host 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo in July 2025

AfriLabs and ATU Sign Landmark Deal to Accelerate Digital Innovation Across Africa

Kenya turns resources into results: the economy grows and strengthens

Read: Detectives probe cash theft scandal at NHIF

“I know we have the ability to do this if we work together. I want to urge our MPs not to delay us through unnecessary debates. We know where we want to go,” he said.

“Our people deserve and want it. We ask you to partner with us. This is not the time to show prowess in debate.”

Medical bills

He added huge medical bills have driven many households into destitution.

“We now have an opportunity to fix the problem once and for all. If those mandated to handle these funds do not do so with care and caution, they will regret it for the rest of their lives,” he said.

President Kenyatta added that his administration would ring-fence health funds to attain UHC, citing the success story of the Ministry of Education.

He said implementing the programme would focus on reforms at NHIF.

“We will ensure the country has a national social health insurer that is able to meet the needs of Kenyans,” he said.

The Ministry of Health and the Attorney-General will establish a mandatory UHC scheme to be managed by the NHIF and regulated by Afya House.

It is expected to act as the scheme for people resident in Kenya and adopt the essential health benefits package, which has been completed.

Mr Kenyatta said it would enable Kenyans to gain access to essential health services at a low cost.

The package covers outpatient and inpatient services, communicable and non-communicable disease management, maternity, dialysis, radiology, mental health, minor and major surgery, substance abuse rehabilitation, emergency services and cancer treatment and others at an annual cost of Sh6,000 per family.

“Initially, the government will provide health insurance cover to a million vulnerable households,” he said.

Identifying the families by the Health and Labour and Social Protection ministries and county governments is expected to begin soon.

Emergency treatment

“As Kenya and the world grapple with coronavirus, today’s launch represents a new frontier in our nation’s fight against emerging and long-standing healthcare threats. It also shows the fruitful and dynamic cooperation between the two tiers of government on the shared mandate of health care services,” he said.

President Kenyatta said every Kenyan has the right to the highest attainable standards of health and the right to health care services, including emergency treatment.

“We have made significant improvements in our health systems. However, access to health care is still a challenge for many,” he said.

He cited a 2018 report which said more than a million Kenyans are impoverished due to high expenditure on health.

“Recognising these unfortunate circumstances, we, have prioritised UHC and developed a comprehensive plan to progressively roll it out,” he said.

“We began the journey with the waiver of user fees at lower level hospitals, then introduced several State-sponsored insurance programmes for the elderly, vulnerable children, people living with severe disability, pregnant women, secondary school learners and others.”

Community health units

Mr Kenyatta added that the UHC pilot phase in four counties led to an increase in the utilisation of health services, with more than 1.6 million additional hospital visits made during the 12-month period.

Key achievements of the phase include the establishment of 208 community health units, staffed by 7,700 health volunteers, he said.

“The volunteers attended to more than two million clients, many of whom were served in their homes. Further, there was recruitment of 752 health workers to narrow existing gaps.”

He said important lessons were learnt during the UHC pilot phase.

The biometric registration of the poor households will ensure beneficiaries are identified when they visit hospitals and NHIF branches.

“An e-claims system will be used to improve efficiency and curb fraud and abuse, challenges we must address. Past initiatives to improve healthcare have not been successful because of such problems,” he said.

The President said Kenyans informed the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) task force of their wish to see health care services improved.

“The BBI proposes fundamental and innovative solutions to the health quagmire that Kenya has faced for years,” he said.

Source: nation.africa/kenya
africanian

africanian

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Jump Shot: The NBPA x UM6P Innovation Challenge – A Game-Changer for African Entrepreneurs

Jump Shot: The NBPA x UM6P Innovation Challenge – A Game-Changer for African Entrepreneurs

March 24, 2025
From AI and climate tech to gender inclusion and digital skills, AfriLabs’ initiatives directly reached over 280,000 startups, entrepreneurs, and youth,

AfriLabs Expands to 514 Innovation Hubs Across Africa, Impacting Over 280,000 Entrepreneurs in 2024

July 19, 2025
AfriLabs and ATU Sign Landmark Deal to Accelerate Digital Innovation Across Africa

AfriLabs and ATU Sign Landmark Deal to Accelerate Digital Innovation Across Africa

July 19, 2025
Beijing to Host 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo in July 2025

Beijing to Host 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo in July 2025

July 19, 2025
AfriLabs and ATU Sign Landmark Deal to Accelerate Digital Innovation Across Africa

AfriLabs and ATU Sign Landmark Deal to Accelerate Digital Innovation Across Africa

July 19, 2025
From AI and climate tech to gender inclusion and digital skills, AfriLabs’ initiatives directly reached over 280,000 startups, entrepreneurs, and youth,

AfriLabs Expands to 514 Innovation Hubs Across Africa, Impacting Over 280,000 Entrepreneurs in 2024

July 19, 2025
Twitter Instagram Youtube Facebook
No Result
View All Result

Africanian News

Is a dedicated project aimed at amplifying the voices of the African Ecosystem and Diaspora. We actively collaborate with initiatives to improve access to education and digital inclusion, both in traditional schools and through digital platforms, for African children.

It’s crucial to emphasize that none of the articles or images featured on our platform are intended for copyright infringement, neither now nor in the future. If you believe that any information, text, image, etc., may be subject to copyright and should be removed, please notify us by sending an email to [email protected]

Your dreams matter; your stories matter.

Feel free to explore collaboration opportunities with us. Share your articles, thoughts, interviews, experiments, or no-comment videos by reaching out to [email protected]. You can also subscribe to our mailing list to receive the latest updates from Africanian News.

© 2024 Africanian News: From Africa, by Africans, for Africa, and friends of Africa.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Tech
  • Travel
  • World

© 2024 Africanian News: From Africa, by Africans, for Africa, and friends of Africa.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Log In

Sign In

Forgot password?

Don't have an account? Register

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Back to Login

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Accept

Add to Collection

  • Public collection title

  • Private collection title

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.