Baringo County is set to embark on grassroots-level campaigns to accelerate registration for the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The decision was arrived at during a two-day county sensitisation forum of National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) and county departments on the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) at a Kabarnet Resort on Thursday.
The meeting was briefed that the vast county has so far registered 316,000 residents out of 666,000, representing 47.45 percent.
Health Advisor in the Executive Office of the President Dr Loice Rono who led the forum tasked the county administration and NGAO to up their efforts in order to cushion residents from out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Dr. Rono enumerated the benefits of registering SHA which she said apart from enabling residents to access comprehensive, high-quality, and affordable healthcare services, will ensure high volume of funds to the respective health facilities across the county.
“If people around a local health facility do not register under SHA, it means that facility will not benefit from the national profits,” she said.
The official noted that Baringo county has the potential of achieving high levels of universal health coverage (UHC) with the support of the various stakeholders.
Baringo County Commissioner Stephen Kutwa who was present during the meeting assured the county administration of full support from the NGAO team in coordinating for the registration to reach up to remote parts of the county.
Kutwa at the same time called for regular registration updates to know which areas of the county need much focus during the exercise.
County director of Medical Services Dr Joseph Kangor appealed to residents to register themselves in the medical insurance cover which he says has numerous benefits.
Kangor and County SHA operations manager Lily Kimetto noted that there is a challenge with residents especially in Tiaty and Baringo North Constituencies who lack National Identification Card (ID) which is key in registering for SHA.
The forum which also seeks to enhance the prompt delivery of services to the public was graced by Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board Chief Executive Officer Lilian Kimeto, Government Delivery Unit Director in charge of Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties Joel Sumaai among other officials.
By Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet
