MERU, KENYA: All households in Meru county will be required to pay Sh4,000 within a period of two years to fund free healthcare for all.
The Sh4,000 payment will be spaced into two installments of Sh2,000 over a period of two years.
Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi during a tour of Buuri sub-county to assess the progress of development projects in his first year in office, announced plans to roll out a program that will provide free healthcare for the residents of Meru.
“This year we shall unveil Meru care a universal healthcare program which will transform our health services, promote preventive health and provide affordable health services to all the people of Meru including the poor and the vulnerable.” Announced Kiraitu.
He said all households would be required to pay Sh2000 to the county government for two years irrespective of the size of the family which would be used to stock and staff medical facilities to ensure free healthcare for all.
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“All households in Meru irrespective of their size will pay Sh2000 for two years, money that the county government will supplement and use to stock our health facilities with drugs and equipment so that everyone can access free, quality healthcare including the poor.” Said Kiraitu.
When residents started murmuring at hearing the announcement, governor Kiraitu assured them that the amount was negligible compared to the quality of service they will get in return for it.
Residents however lack an understanding of why they should spend Sh4,000 on a medical scheme when they are already paying for National Health Insurance Fund cover.
“Why should I pay all that money when I am already paying for NHIF which provides the same services?” asked Elizabeth Gikunda a resident who was present at the event.
Residents are now calling on the county government to conduct exhaustive civic education about the program to create better awareness of the program before officially institutionalizing it.
The residents have further requested the county government to subsidize the payments further to ensure that low income families are able to contribute.
