The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) has introduced new benefits for patients with chronic illnesses such as Cancer and Diabetes as well as expectant women.
The new benefits will see patients receive Sh25,000 for each session of cancer chemotherapy, Sh18000 for each radiology session, Sh15000 for MRI scans and Sh8000 for CT-Scans.
Pregnant women are also set to benefit in the new development, with the maternity cover being increased from Sh6000 to Sh10,000 for normal delivery and Sh30,000 up from Sh18000 for C-section delivery.
According to Chairman of the Kenya Association of Hospitals, Kanyenje Gekoma, the new rates will apply to both inpatient and outpatient services.
The NHIF expressed that the changes have been effected following negotiations and agreements with hospitals.
This will come as a big gain to low income earners who normally face the huge burden of raising money for treatment of chronic diseases.
Regarding the benefits, NHIF Chief Executive George Mwangi, said that it had put Kenya on the path to achieving universal health care.
The national insurer further expressed that private health facilities had been frustrating plans to rollout outpatient covers, by opposing the new outpatient rates.
Private hospitals are on record terming proceeds from NHIF as too little considering the fact that they (private facilities) are better equipped and staffed compared to public hospitals.
