NHIF, KNH sign deals on workers' medicare

BY LONAH KIBET

National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) have signed two contracts to offer civil servants direct medical services.

NHIF gives KNH Sh40 million annually to cater for medical expenses for 23,000 civil servants.

“The two contacts commit the hospital to provide the civil servants healthcare services they need and capitation contract for primary health care for job groups N to T who will need specialised treatment,” said NHIF CEO Simeon ole Kirgotty.

The direct treatment agreement means that the civil servants will not have to queue to be treated at the hospital, as they will have wards and clinics assigned to them.

The move comes in the wake of complaints by Union of Civil Servants that members were not getting adequate services.

The union had threatened to withdraw from NHIF medical scheme citing  poor management of their medical scheme.

Kirgotty, who toured the hospital before  signing  the contracts, said they were satisfied with the facilities at KNH.

“We are here to ensure that the facilities available are adequate and that fund which we shall be giving the hospital is fully utilised. This has been a rigorous exercise and we are fully satisfied with what we have seen,” Kirgotty said

First-class services

He urged other Government hospitals to emulate KNH in providing first class services to compete effectively with private hospitals.

Other hospitals due to sign similar agreements include Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Coast General Hospital and Nakuru Provincial Hospital among others.

KNH has already designated wards for civil servants with all the necessary amenities in readiness for the rolll-out of the programme.

KNH Chief Executive Officer Richard Lesiyampe said they are committed to serve their clients diligently by providing high quality specialised and general health services.

“We are a National Referral Hospital Facility and I assure that we have competent personnel, enough space and equipment to deal with the patients,” Lesiyampe said.