State urged to focus on quality, affordable healthcare

Mukurweini MP Kabando Wa Kabando at a past press conference. He has urged the state to put in place measures for quality healthcare for all. PHOTO | FILE 

In Summary

• "CIC and other constitutional oversight agencies have concentrated more on political and governance issues neglecting education and healthcare which are basic human needs. Impunity still reigns where some health institutions have turned away emergency cases while some schools continue to withhold exam certificates," he said.

By NATION REPORTER
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Mukurewini MP Kabando wa Kabando has urged the state to put in place measures for quality healthcare for all.

While lauding the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) for making  positive strides in expanding benefits to include chronic conditions, he said more remained to be done. Mr Kabando said efforts should now shift to bringing down the cost of monthly premiums paid to the national health insurer.

"Every person has a right to the highest attainable standard of health which includes the right to health care services, including reproductive health and emergency health care services. To operationalise this, NHIF should be affordable as we move towards universal healthcare coverage. Monthly contributions should be reduced from Sh500 to Sh200 per household to make it affordable to more Kenyans most of whom are too poor to afford."

He also blamed arms of the government for paying too much attention to politics at the expense of critical matters that posed great challenges to Kenyans. He singled out Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) which had neglected other basic needs that are provided as rights in the constitution.

"CIC and other constitutional oversight agencies have concentrated more on political and governance issues neglecting education and healthcare which are basic human needs. Impunity still reigns where some health institutions have turned away emergency cases while some schools continue to withhold exam certificates," he said.

The MP was speaking at Karima, Othaya in Nyeri County during the funeral of Journalist Mwangi Geita. He said while he was gratified by the expanded benefits that now include treatment of cancer, diabetes and kidney failure, he vowed to be unrelenting in his quest to see the widest coverage possible on most common but medically expensive diseases under the insurance scheme.

"I submitted a question to the Health cabinet secretary through parliament's relevant departmental committee and I expect a satisfactory answer when parliament resumes sitting in January," he said.

NHIF has in recent times come under fire for failing to offer comprehensive services despite increased their monthly deductions.