MCA: County should pay NHIF for deserving NCDs patients

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga’s administration has been urged to establish a programme that will ensure that residents that are unable to cater for medical expenses of their non-communicable and other chronic diseases are covered by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Nyeri nominated MCA Kelvin Kariithi, through a motion tabled at the County Assembly, argues that the majority of patients suffering from various lifestyle and chronic diseases are the elderly and Persons with Disability (PWD) with most unable to afford proper treatment to manage the diseases.

Mr Kariithi said Nyeri is one of the counties with a high prevalence of non-communicable and other chronic diseases, with the said accounting to majority of the deaths.

The lawmaker wants Nyeri County Executive Committee Member in charge of Health Services Dr Joseph Kiragu to ensure that funds are set aside for payment of NHIF annual contributions for the beneficiaries.

“Establish a county database and ensure regular updates of all the patients suffering from lifestyle and other chronic ailments in order to facilitate patients’ follow-ups and identification of the persons to be considered for the programme,” Mr Kariithi said.

“Article 43(1)(a) of the Constitution guarantees every person the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to health care services,” he added.

He said the county government had previously made efforts towards providing medical cover and access to selected vulnerable groups by paying NHIF annual contributions under the BIMA AFYA programme.

However, he notes, the BIMA AFYA programme was discontinued upon introduction of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) that was piloted in various counties, among them being Nyeri.

The legislator, who is representing youths in the Assembly, said the devolved unit waived Sh23 million during the fiscal year 2022/2023 to various patients treated in Level V and Level IV Health Facilities.

“Some PWDs have regular doctor’s appointments and procedures prescribed by medical practitioners for the main purpose of improving the quality of their lives, with most failing to adhere due to financial constraints and lack of medical cover,” Mr Kariithi said.

“The majority of our people cannot afford treatment and they just wait to die. The county should pay for those already ailing but cannot afford the NHIF. This will enable them to be able to get medication on a regular basis without having to sell their household items and also enhance the county health service delivery because NHIF will pay for their treatment,” he added.