NHIF plan noble

NHIF Building in Nairobi's Upper Hill. The national health insurer has written to the Health ministry seeking permission to renegotiate the fixed contribution structure. FILE 

The NHIF Building in Nairobi's Upper Hill. The national health insurer has written to the Health ministry seeking permission to renegotiate the fixed contribution structure. FILE 

announcement by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) of plans to lower monthly premiums and offer comprehensive health coverage to all is worthy, but begs for scrutiny.

The fund has proposed that contributors pay two per cent of their gross salary up to a maximum of Sh2, 000 a month — effectively halving monthly contributions for those earning less than Sh100,000 compared to the income bands-based fees.

This has been welcomed by labour unions who have blocked introduction of the enhanced fees for more than three years since they were gazetted, moving NHIF closer to its goal of offering a comprehensive and competitive health insurance plan.

On the table is an out-patient offer for contributors and their dependants and higher rebates allowing contributors to access quality health at top-end hospitals such as Nairobi without paying from their pockets.

But corporate governance breaches at the fund make it difficult for the movers of this noble health plan to convince contributors it’s up to the task. More importantly, the fund has been allowed to run without an oversight authority.

This must change, and the role of collecting funds and management should be separated with independent trustees appointed to watch over this twin divisions.

The revised rates are welcome, but NHIF’s management and corporate governance structure must be overhauled