A friend called me one time, saying she really needed my help. Her children's nanny had been in and out of the hospital the past month and she had, seemingly, received medication for her symptoms rather than a treatment plan as she was still in pain. I met with her nanny, listened to her medical history, and was able to identify a doctor within the public system who could help. This way, NHIF would cover most of her costs.

It was a surprise when Nancy, the nanny, said she didn't have NHIF, more so as my friend had mentioned that she had registered her. Nancy would receive the monthly contributions as part of her salary and all she had to do was make the remittance via mobile money.

She explained that her daughter had sat her exams the previous year, and joined high school that year. Coupled with the rising cost of living, she thought she would 'save' on the NHIF costs and use the contributions for her family expenses. She also didn't wish to bother her employer who had already given her a raise.