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Health Principal Secretary Dr. Khadijah Kassachoon has stressed the need for county hospitals to reduce the cost of providing mental health services.
Kassachoon specified the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services which she said currently plays a key role towards the treatment of mental patients.
Speaking in Eldoret, Kassachoon took issue with health providers whom she said have continued to provide services at exorbitant costs.
“Health services should not be pegged on business, citizens deserve to access the (MRI) services at Sh8, 000 because increasing it to Sh12, 000 for self-interest would not be in line with the government's plan to ensure equitable service,” she explained.
She explained that the ministry has set health policies and regulation standards in a bid to improve the mental health status in the country.
The PS further challenged counties to ensure that they incorporate quality mental health services in their health systems.
She noted that the move will see the reduction of mental cases which has spiraled in the country, contributed by social factors.
"There is need for counties to establish centers which can give priority to mental health cases because it is a condition which contributes significantly to the global burden of diseases across the world," she explained.
The MTRH CEO Dr. John Kibosia who accompanied the PS noted that plans are underway to establish a bigger mental unit due to increase in the number of patients.
Kibosia called on the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to cover persons with mental disorders.
"Even as we champion for patients with mental disorders, there also a growing concern for a special group of addicts; they also require a comprehensive cover from NHIF because their recovery takes time," he added.
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