Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has now tasked administration officers to ensure the registration of 12 million households into the new Universal Health Coverage (UHC) plan.
The CS said the onboarding National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) to register 12 million households into the system would be critical in the achievement of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s plan in delivering UHC, which he says failed in the last administrations.
“The previous two administrations struggled to implement Universal Health Care, but unfortunately, because of various reasons, it was not possible… former President Uhuru Kenyatta had another go at this very important exercise, unfortunately it did not pick up,” Prof Kindiki said.
Speaking on Wednesday during the engagement with the Ministry of Health and NGAO at the Kenya School of Government, Prof Kindiki said President William Ruto has learned from the failed plans in the previous administrations, and that the country will be able to witness UHC being rolled out in its fullness this time.
“I am persuaded beyond any doubt that the Administration of President Ruto will deliver UHC. The necessary legal framework is in place, and we are at a good place to implement the UHC.”
Prof Kindiki termed NGAO as the best machinery which can deliver UHC across the country efficiently, fast, and effectively.
“NGAO is wired to do these kinds of things. This is what we are wired to do. This is what the trainings of NGAO prepares this team to do.”
The CS said that following the successful role played by NGAO in the registration of farmers for the distribution of fertilisers, the team is up to the task for the registration of UHC in record time and at minimum cost.
He has asked the Ministry of Health to ensure that the administration officers are equipped with basic information that will equally be conveyed to Kenyans without any difficulty for the enrolment of Kenyans.
“What we require from this meeting is very simplified information which can be consumed by the person at the grassroots who may not be necessarily sophisticated,” Prof Kindiki said.
The CS said that with the help of chief and village elders, the government would be able to achieve its health manifesto by ensuring that all households across the country are reached out.
Health Cabinet Secretary Dr Deborah Barasa said the government is ready to implement health policies which have been passed, including Primary Healthcare Act, Social Health Insurance Act to ensure that Kenyans are accessing affordable healthcare services.
“Our target is 60 per cent of households which means 12 million households and we hope we can achieve this by October 1,” Dr Barasa said.
The Chairperson of President’s Council of Economic Advisors Dr David Ndii said NGAO officers are expected to help in connecting Kenyans with the government’s agenda, since they are closer to the people.
Dr Ndii said through the cover, households from poor backgrounds would be able to access healthcare services across the country since they are covered, and they will not be forced to pay for such services.
“One million Kenyans, every year, fall into poverty because of a health shock in the family,” Dr Ndii said.
