Relief for Kenyans as Health CS Makes Last Minute Changes on NHIF

mary kulundu

November 4, 2017 11:33 AM

Just in

Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu on Saturday suspended a decision to limit National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) outpatient visits to only four per year.

Mr. Mailu stated that the suspension should take immediate effect until further consultations are held between the NHIF board and other stakeholders.

“Meanwhile patients should continue the services as it has been the case before. A full statement will be issued soon." Dr Mailu.

This comes days after NHIF Chief Executive Officer Mr Geoffrey Mwangi announced major changes in the Fund that would see Kenyans access hospitals using the NHIF card only two times in one year.

According to Mr Mwangi this was in a bid to curb fraud.

"We are also dealing with fraud. It is more beneficial to put it at four visits per card each year so that we can curb healthcare fraud, wastage and abuse of health financing resources,” he said.

At the same time, the NHIF boss noted that the changes would allow Kenyans access any hospital with no restrctions.

“Initially, if members had chosen a facility that does not operate 24 hours, they could not access services. The effected changes will see members access the services at any time of the day from any NHIF-accredited facility,” he added.

However, Kenyans did not take this kindly as many expressed their worries over the huge amounts of bill they will be forced to foot.

mary kulundu