The Council of Governors (CoG), through its principal leadership, affirmed their approval of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) pilot programme, citing its invaluable impact in the counties. The CoG expressed their appreciation during the Health Sector Inter-Governmental Forum on UHC; a two-day event held at the Sarova Whitesands Resort in Mombasa County. The forum, which was organized by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the CoG, focused on reviewing the achievements of the UHC programme and charting a way forward. Under the theme, “Scale Up the UHC under the Big Four Agenda”, Council of Governors Chairman Wycliffe Oparanya urged the National Government to increase the funds allocated to the Universal Health Coverage programme and implement it in all counties, owing to the programme’s proven results as one of the success stories in the Big Four Agenda.
The Head of state outlined interventions including the establishment of a mandatory scheme for all Kenyans to be managed by NHIF and regulated by the Ministry of Health.
“Government will provide health insurance cover to initially one million households who are vulnerable and unable to meet even that low cost premium. The identification of these one million households by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, and the Counties is set to begin in a few days across the entire country,” the President announced. Before he launched the national biometric registration of needy households for UHC by NHIF.
The President said the delivery of UHC is a MUST and will adopt the essential health benefits package which will enable Kenyans to gain access to an essential set of health services at a much lower cost.
The package covers identified areas including outpatient and inpatient services, communicable and non-communicable disease management, maternity, dialysis, radiology, mental health, minor and major surgery, substance abuse rehabilitation, emergency services and cancer treatment among others.
President Kenyatta pointed out that the pilot phase led to an increase in the uptake of health services in the country by 1.6 million new hospital visits during the 12-month period.