Kenyans Unaware of Ongoing Mandatory NHIF Registration

National Health and Insurance Fund (NHIF) Offices Building in Nairobi. Monday, November 18, 2019.
National Health and Insurance Fund (NHIF) Building in Nairobi. Monday, November 18, 2019.
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke

Kenyans have shunned a mandatory directive by National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) in droves.

The institution's Chief Executive Peter Kamunyo, in mid-June, directed NHIF beneficiaries to enrol for biometric registration exercise aimed at speeding services delivered by the fund.

It turns out that since the drive was launched, only 300,000 people have gone to get the registration representing 30 per cent of all NHIF beneficiaries.

Speaking during a tour in Bungoma County, Devolution Cabinet Secretary for Eugene Wamalwa urged the 47 counties to mobilise their residents to enrol for the service.

A hand holding a National Hospital Insurance Fund card
A hand holding a National Hospital Insurance Fund card.
Photo

Currently, NHIF members can only access services using a smart card it issues.

"I urge all the 47 devolved units to be part of the partnership to ensure that the registration of the targeted Kenyans is fast-tracked.

"Once you have been registered, do not fear accessing any health facility for services.," stated Wamalwa according to The Standard.

He also noted that the exercise had set back the state Ksh6 billion taxpayers money.

The directive was unveiled as part of the new changes under the mandatory Ksh500 premiums for all households proposed by the institution.

The mandate was made by a special task force that had been constituted Health CS Mutahi Kagwe aimed at helping the fund Strategise.

Part of the resolutions from the task force includes the introduction of a biometric and electronic claims system and with more services expected to be added under the cover.

He further explained that the mandatory Ksh500 premiums for all households would help expand services available under the cover.

Out of the 10.4 million Kenyans registered on the platform, only 5 million are active contributors and most of them are either formally salaried hence a requirement or are suffering from chronic illnesses.

National Hospital Insurance Fund CEO Peter Kamunyo Gathege attends a past meeting.
National Hospital Insurance Fund CEO Peter Kamunyo Gathege attends a past meeting.
Daily Nation