The Healthcare system in Kenya is yet to get a grip on its coverage. Some folks have challenges accessing primary healthcare in their counties because of financial constraints or the underdeveloped health facilities that cannot accommodate a variety of health complication and the bursting population.
County government has been tasked to provide Healthcare coverage. These counties have the mandate to initiate, expand and implement social health insurance programs in-line with the Constitution and the Kenya Vision 2030. As the country continues making strides towards promoting UHC, at least 3.2 million Kenyans in four counties will be the first beneficiaries of a new health package being developed by the Government.
There is a need for the County Governments to work with the National Government to outline a plan that creates a seamless process and of cover at every level of care providing the necessary resources at any given time through lateral cooperation across counties and uniformity when designing various county health programs and schemes.
Giving her two cents on the Universal Health Care project by the government, while addressing her constituents from Aga Khan Hospital where she was to undergo a surgical procedure due to her back pain, Nairobi Women Rep Esther Passaris encouraged Kenyans to embrace it.
Admitted at the Aga Khan Hospital for a Medial Branch Block procedure plus Paraspinal L3 to S1 under the care of Dr Thikra Shariff and Mr Livingstone Olunya. https://t.co/Z1lz83mzUQ
— Esther Muthoni Passaris (@EstherPassaris) September 16, 2019
“I have worked so had to get where I am and I can actually afford the medical care that can give me the care In Aga Khan Hospital. With Universal Healthcare we can get our public hospitals to be really efficient we have very good doctors in Kenya. I feel that Universal Health care being single out as an Agenda by the president is something that we should embrace,” she said.
Despite being entitled to health insurance as a parliamentarian, Passaris pointed out that she has private insurance and still pays her NHIF subscription, to emphasize the need for Kenyans to take their health seriously and put away some money for health emergencies. She noted that most Kenyans do not pay for insurance covers, which makes it difficult to access good health care.
Speaking about her condition, Passaris said that the government should look into introducing cannabis treatment into the health system, as there is evidence of its medicinal value in the lives of patients.