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By Kepher Otieno and Maureen Odiwour
The State will not relent on the implementation of the new National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), Medical Services Minister Anyang’ Nyong’o has said.
Prof Nyong’o defended the Fund saying it would ensure the rich and the poor access proper health care.
“I wonder why some people are opposed to the scheme yet world over, it has contributed to rapid health development,’’ he said.
The minister lashed at those he claimed were out to block the Government from implementing the medical scheme scheduled to take effect from October 1, 2012.
“We have no ulterior motive to introduce the new outpatient medical scheme but some disgruntled forces are trying to scuttle our move in the interest of private businesses expediency, we won’t allow them at all,’’ he said.
The new rates will allow Kenyans to access outpatient services. Under the news rates, the lowest paid individual at Sh6,000 will contribute Sh150 while the highest paid over Sh100,000 will contribute Sh2,000.
On Friday, the minister challenged critics to tell Kenyans the best alternative they had, instead of opposing the scheme for vested interests.
“We are aware a lot of money has been poured round the country to try to disparage the image of NHIF and we want to assure the public that we won’t back track on this resolve,’’ the minister said.
He said the Government was committed to ensure all Kenyans, poor or rich, have access to affordable medical scheme that was cost effective.
Nyong’o explained that the system had flourished in industrialised countries whose social-health care programmes are today a milestone because of good policies.
‘’Why should people complain if we peg the deductions on earnings to assist the less advantaged people in the society,’’ he posed?
And Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary General Francis Atwoli has maintained that they will not allow the new rates to be deducted until the new board is in place.
He wondered why the minister was bent on ensuring the commencement of the new deductions while the new chairman of the board had not been officially gazetted.
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