CS KAGWE: NHIF SET TO CUT COSTS IN HEALTHCARE WITH ENHANCED PACKAGES.

Speaking at Clive Irvine College of Health Services, in Chogoria -Tharaka Nithi County on Friday where he presided over the opening of an accommodation block, CS Kagwe gave updates on NHIF contractual discussions, saying they would be over by 31st March and that the negotiations were set to bring down the cost of healthcare.

CS Kagwe noted that NHIF charges must be sufficient to take care of patients adding that the government was working to enhance the packages.

“One of the challenges I found at the Ministry of Health was fraud through NHIF. At some point NHIF was used by those in charge as a cash point” - CS Kagwe

CS Kagwe defended the move by government to introduce biometrics in the provision of NHIF services, saying the identity of an individual receiving services was now clear, making reimbursements faster and paperless.

With 50 new hospitals set to be opened across the country as part of the Universal Health Care program, CS Kagwe emphasized on the need to digitalize health services and learning through E-Theatre and E-Labs.

CS Mutahi Kagwe inspects the new Clive Irvine College accomodation block

The CS noted that preparatory courses offered to nurses going to work abroad will be integrated into the curriculum, to eliminate training after graduation of nurses to save on time and resources.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has asked politicians and leaders across the country not to politicize healthcare, and work together to ensure programs and services related to health don’t stall.

He further asked Kenyans to support the government, saying what was required is continuity of projects through the transitioning of government leadership.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, MBF President Andrew Mayo and USAID Director John Kuehnle pose for a picture.

USAID Director of Health Population and Nutrition Mr. John Kuehnle stated that USAID was committed to build capacity of health and education systems around the world and that it was devoted to strengthen human capital needed to fuel Kenya’s development agenda.

The new accommodation block is set to assist the institution attract new students and is the second phase of expanding it to a capacity of over 500 students.

The project, funded by USAID and MBF with the help of the Ministry of Health will house 60 students and offer accessibility to students around the college.

“This is an example of how organizations can invest and partner to achieve significant impact” – Andrew Mayo, CEO of MBF.