The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) on Friday, September 3, launched a medical assessment scheme targeting sick officers and those who have been injured in the line of duty.
Led by the commission's chairman, Eliud Kinuthia, the commissioners supervised the enrollment of the medical scheme in Nakuru and Uasin Gishu counties.
The pilot programme will see the first batch of 200 officers from the Rift Valley region listed to benefit from the medical scheme.
“I officially launch the Police Medical Assessment exercise in Nakuru. The assessment targets over 200 police officers in Rift Valley who got sick or disabled in the line of duty,” Kinuthia stated during the unveiling of the programme.
The Commission's chair stated that the government had commenced a negotiation plan with insurance companies to cover more officers.
“The commission will bargain for a better deal and medical services for police officers to improve on their medical welfare.”
He explained that the move was necessary, noting that the existing medical cover for police officers is not comprehensive.
“I took concern that the NHIF is giving our officers a raw deal by introducing capitation of not more than Ksh2,500 per day for police officers in the rank of Constable to Inspector, while the negotiated deal was unlimited for all outpatient services,” the chair explained.
Kinuthia further stated that there were ongoing discussions to negotiate for special admission desks in hospitals for police officers.
This, he says, will reduce the amount of time taken in hospital queues.
“The approval turnaround time is long and there is no special customer care desk in the hospitals to ensure police officers don't queue for long,” he stated.
At the function, sick and injured officers were encouraged to seek medical attention through the scheme.
“All police officers who have been sick are encouraged to show up so that they can be assessed.”
The new medical scheme is part of police reforms that were initiated by Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i.
