Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has introduced a new measure that will see women not registered with the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) miss out on free maternity services.
A statement by acting CEO Bernard Githae outlines the said pregnant women will be required to report to NHIF offices before accessing the free services.
"The free maternity services that have been in operation since June 2013 have now been transferred to NHIF under Linda Mama Programme.
"Mothers who need to benefit from this programme should be registered with NHIF. Those mothers that are currently not NHIF members should be referred to NHIF offices for instant registration through a mobile phone platform provided by NHIF," Dr Githae's statement read in part.
[caption caption="File image of the KNH administration block "]
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Speaking to journalists, the CEO explained that mothers who refuse to comply will be required to pay cash for the services received.
He added that the requirement would assist in ensuring full compensation after the services are offered at the largest referral health facility in Kenya.
"This is, therefore, to instruct all service providers to render maternity services to mothers who are duly registered with NHIF for purposes of reimbursements.
"Mothers who refuse to register for NHIF should be asked to pay cash for maternity services. This takes effect immediately.
The Linda Mama - Boresha Jamii Programme established by the government in 2016 allows mothers to access antenatal, delivery, postnatal care and one-year child care in all NHIF-accredited facilities at zero cost.
The government contributes Sh6,000 annually on behalf of the mother and at an additional Sh500, the pregnant woman can enjoy a comprehensive cover.
[caption caption="File image of the KNH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) "]
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The woman is required to register with NHIF prior to delivery and furnish the national insurer with details of the preferred facility for the maternal care.
"This service comes at no cost but pregnant women need to register with NHIF to benefit from it. This is a requirement for any mother giving birth or seeking post-natal care at NHIF-accredited facilities, which include all government hospitals, faith-based and some private hospitals," NHIF CEO Geoffery Mwangi explained.
