At least 269 vulnerable families in Ganze constituency have been enlisted for the National Hospital Insurance Fund through NG-CDF.
Speaking in Ganze during the launch of the programme, Ganze MP Teddy Mwambire said the 269 families have 1,603 dependents who will be treated through the fund for one year.
The beneficiaries include orphans, people with special needs, and the elderly. The scheme will cost Ksh 1,374, 000 for one year.
“Some of the beneficiaries are poor and cannot afford medication while others are old and have nobody to cater for their medical needs. We are doing this to provide them a chance to access better healthcare,” he said.
“Many visit the dispensary and are referred to bigger hospitals for further diagnosis and treatment but decided to go back home and wait on God’s time because they have no money.”
Mwambire said people used to sell their livestock to fund their treatment but most of the animals died during the recent drought.
“Some visit offices with proforma forms to raise funds for treatment while others die before meeting the target,” he said.
The cover will enable the beneficiaries to access health services in public and private hospitals.
NHIF Kilifi manager Omar Mwatabu said the initiative is in line with the Universal Health Coverage programme.
Mwatabu said already 35,000 families in Kilifi are benefiting from the fund paid by the national government.
“Sickness does not prepare you it strikes when you least expect. A medical insurance cover is the best a leader can give to his electorate. This will relieve many families who need specialised treatment,” he said.
Margaret Katana, 52, from Tsangalaweni said many families are reeling in poverty making it hard for them to seek treatment.
“It is challenging to get a meal for many families in Ganze leave alone getting medical services. This will help many get medical care and concentrate on searching for food,” she said.
