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NAIROBI: The national government has released Sh1.4 billion to support free maternity services in the 47 counties as well the Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The Counties that got the highest allocations include Nairobi (Sh107.6 million), Kiambu (Sh68.8 million) Kakamega (Sh62.4 million), Bungoma (Sh56 million) and Kisii (Sh52 million.
Those that got the least allocations are Samburu (Sh4 million), Tana River (Sh4.5 million) , Marsabit (Sh4.7 million), Lamu (Sh4.9 million) and Turkana (Sh6.6 million).
In the allocation, KNH has received Sh109.4 million while MTRH has received Sh103.4 million
This follows last week’s disbursement of Sh220 million by the national government to refund dispensaries and health centers run by counties for user fees waived from patients.
Counties had lamented that even though they are offering free maternity services in their health facilities, the national government is not refunding them the money in good time.
Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said that from now on, the funds for the free maternity programme will be channeled to the bank accounts of individual health facilities.
This was after the senate recommended so through the County Allocation of Revenue Act of 2015.
“The funds received will be utilised according to the work plans of the individual health facilities with oversight provided by the county health management team and the facility management committees," he said.
On his part, Director of Medical Services Dr Nicholas Muraguri said Thursday that the since the free maternity programme was introduced in June 1st 2013, the proportion of mothers delivering in health facilities has increased from 44 per cent to 66 per cent.
“Delivering in a health facility is important for both mothers and newborns as they are protected from infections while complications can be identified and managed in good time,” he said.
He added: “So far, we have documented an increase in attendance to antenatal care, deliveries and reduction in home deliveries as a result of the free maternity services and foregone user fees.”
Dr Muraguri indicated that in this financial year, Sh4.3 billion was the budget set aside by Treasury to support counties to offer free maternity services in their health facilities.
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