The financing by the government, through the Ministry of Health, is to "ensure universal health coverage" where diagnosis and treatment is accessible and affordable for all Kenyans, according to Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu.

 

Dr Mailu said health insurance was one of the way to "deliver the health promise".

 

"We are also investing Sh4.2 billion through NHIF for free maternity and registering over 800,000 elderly and the most vulnerable Kenyans to ensure they access health care. Kenyans are now healthier than a decade ago," he said during the Health Summit held Tuesday in State House, Nairobi.

 

FREE TREATMENT

 

The CS further said the country was investing Sh28 billion in malaria, HIV and TB management as treatment is free in public facilities for the three ailments.

 

"We are also upgrading health care in informal centers at an initial cost of Sh200million but this will increase to Sh1billion in the coming years," he added.

 

The half-a-day meeting of different stakeholders in health also updated Kenyans on the progress of projects initiated by the national and county government, such as the Sh38 billion managed equipment services programme, which was meant to improve healthcare management in 98 hospitals countrywide.

 

The health summit is part of an ongoing series of talks hosted by State House by different ministries -- such as that for agriculture and tourism -- to highlight the progress in their sector.

Source : allafrica.com