Why your referral hospital may not admit you when UHC takes effect

Patients unattended at a referral hospital. Only specialised cases will find their way to level six hospitals. [File, Standard]

Patients fond of self-referring to hospitals of choice will have to change their mode of seeking treatment once Universal Health Coverage (UHC) takes effect.

Under the UHC programme - to be rolled out on Thursday on a pilot basis in four counties - Kenyans will first seek treatment in dispensaries in their locality. The programme's success in the four counties will determine if its adopted across the 47 counties.