The health sector in Kitui received a major boost Friday (October 1st) after Governor Charity Ngilu launched the Kitui Universal Healthcare (Kitui-UHC). The event took place at the Mutomo Stadium in Kitui South. The insurance cover targeting 100,000 families in Kitui County.
Dr. Winnie Kitetu the Health CEC thanked the Governor for being at the forefront to ensure that she attains her agenda of affordable healthcare to the people of Kitui.
“We are very grateful because we are the first county to roll out the Universal Healthcare under NHIF and we hope that we will continue the partnership with NHIF,” Dr. Kitetu said.
Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai urged the residents to enroll in the UHC program to get better services. She said that she will pay for the first 50 Boda Boda riders in Kitui South because they are prone to accidents and this will be of benefit to them.
“I want to encourage everyone to enroll in this program brought by our County Government and I thank Governor Ngilu who has mentored me and am grateful to her for coming to help the people of Kitui,” Nyamai said.
Catholic Missions Board (CMB Kenya) through Dr. James Kisia donated drugs and pharmaceuticals to health facilities in Kitui south health facilities.
“We are giving education through our community health care workers and the resources we need from the County you have given us financial support,” Kisia said.
Titus Munene, marketing officer from Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) who were among the partners in giving out pharmaceuticals together with KEMSA pledged to partner with the governor in ensuring that they supply the necessary pharmaceuticals.
KEMSA acting CEO George Njoroge said that they have supplied enough drugs to cater for the Kitui people and thanked the governor for partnering with them. Governo Charity Ngilu on Tuesday (28th September) flagged off a shipment of pharmaceuticals for Kitui’s hospitals, dispensaries, and health facilities.
“We want to first enroll 80,000 people to NHIF where we will be paying 3,000 and they will pay the remaining 3,000 per year. I couldn’t do this alone because in 2018 I launched K-chic but it was only available in Kitui but NHIF will be accessible even in other health facilities outside the county.” Ngilu at the launch said.
She thanked the Kitui County Assembly for passing the bill to enable her to get universal healthcare for the people.
“We want to eradicate this norm of selling a goat, chicken or calling for harambees to raise funds to pay hospital bills and that’s why I have called everyone to come together to get health insurance cover under NHIF,” Ngilu added.
