National Hospital Insurance Fund cover to expand from May, says DP

Kenya: The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) will begin providing improved inpatient and outpatient medical cover from May, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

Mr Ruto said the fund, which is governed by the NHIF Act 1998, would be transformed, and membership fees raised to a maximum of Sh2,000 for high-income earners.

He said the Government plans to pay NHIF dues for elderly citizens aged over 70 currently benefiting from the State's monthly cash transfer services.

Ruto challenged governors and MPs to consider paying monthly NHIF charges for poor families in their counties and constituencies to make the fund successful.

Speaking at Chepsion Girls Secondary School in Kipkelion East Constituency, Kericho County, the DP added that the Government has finalised plans to set up two level five hospitals in every county.

"The money for the hospitals is ready at the Treasury and governors need to move and sign for the same to commence establishment of the health facilities that will ease congestion in the few referral hospitals across the country," he said, calling on Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony to go and sign for Sh800 million allocated to the county.