Health Cabinet Secretary on Thursday unveiled details of health
task force panel report that was meant to bring changes to the National
Hospital Insurance Fund structure.
Speaking at a press conference held at Inter-Continental
Hotel Nairobi, CS Kariuki said the ministry of health will ensure proper
implementation of the recommendations presented by the task force and ensure continuous
engagement with key stakeholders in the sector.
“Having received the expert report, the ministry will now
initiate the implementation of the proposed recommendations and ensure
continuous engagement with the Council of Governors, the public and private
providers and Citizens who stand to benefit,” said CS Sicily Kariuki.
She added that following the Universal Health Care pilot
study, an increased number of patient visits informed the expert s
recommendations, which will ensure improved efficiency at NHIF.
“The UHC Pilot Exercise that will guide the National
Scale-Up of UHC Program shows an increase in the number of patient visits,
ranging from 20-40%. This demonstrates that there was indeed an unmet need,
that informed the expert’s recommendations,” said the CS.
The CS added that, key reform recommendations include the
need to actuarially determine premiums and benefit package entitlements to facilitate
the sustainability of NHIF Kenya, strengthening and improving efficiency
towards strategic purchasing, through automation and Information Technology.
Parliament accusation
“The ministry of health appreciates the expert Panel for
their diligent, rigorous work and remains committed to the delivery of Universal
Health Coverage, shall continue to collaborate with all health sector and inter-sectoral
stakeholders in ensuring the promise of UHC is realized,” added CS Kariuki.
This comes even after the national parliament accused the state
health insurer for using the funds only for the benefit of the rich while the
poor are left to suffer and raise their own medical bill.
Members of Parliament on Wednesday through the National Assembly
Health Committee accused the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) of
spending billions to cater for medical expenses of the well-off patients in
high-end private hospitals leaving out the poor and elderly to decide their
medical bill fate.
NHIF acting CEO Nicodemus Odongo tabled documents that
revealed how private hospitals continue to pocket billions in claims payments before
the committee.
The documents also showed how government and mission hospitals,
which serves a majority of Kenyans, receives less than half of what private
hospitals get per year.
Susan Mochache, PS health(left), Sicily Kariuki, CS health (center) and task force member (right), chair Dr. Wambugu (center-right). Image|Courtsey
Social health
insurance
The experts’ panel has recommended that NHIF Kenya should be
turned to a social health insurance body to ensure essential health services
are available to all Kenyans.
According to the panel report, NHIF governance structures should
be strengthened and its services be defined by an independent body to redesign
business process and organizational structure.
The panel has also recommended strengthening of the
governance framework by establishing an independent accreditation and quality
assurance mechanism of health service providers that will facilitate improved
quality of health services.
Health Principal Secretary Susan Mochache, praised the task
panel for the recommendation report, adding that the ministry is committed to
ensure UHC is delivered.
“We are grateful for the recommendations of the expert penal
and we are committed to delivering Universal Health Coverage,” said Ms.
Mochache.
The task force chair, Dr. James Wambugu also noted that part
of the recommendations is to introduce a new UHC scheme for private and middle
class people.
“The panel has also recommended enhancement of the Civil
service scheme, introduction of another UHC scheme to cater for the private
sector and the poor people,” Dr. Wambugu.
The 21-member panel of experts from public and private
sector was appointed on February 26 following President Uhuru Kenyatta’s
directive during the launch of the UHC pilot in Kisumu.
The President had ordered for reforms at NHIF and the Kenya
Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
NHIF (which collects more than Sh40 billion medical funds
per year) was started as a department in the Ministry of Health in 1966 before
it was transformed into a state corporation in 1998 through an Act of
Parliament.
Discussion about this post