By D, KNA
Kenyans will soon benefit from free outpatient medical services in all hospitals after the government allocated adequate funds to facilitate the initiative.
According to the Deputy President (DP) Prof. Kithure Kindiki, the coverage to be offered under the new SHA medical cover, will ease the burden of hospital bills for the majority of Kenyans seeking treatment.
“We have appropriated Sh22 billion in the current budget ensure SHA pays all outpatient medical bills in all hospitals across Kenya. If you go to the hospital and you are not admitted, you will receive treatment and go home without paying anything,” he said.
Prof. Kindiki was speaking during a consultative meeting with grassroots’ women leaders and opinion shapers from Kirinyaga county at his home in Irunduni village, Tharaka Nithi County.
For a patient to enjoy the services, the DP noted, one must be registered, lest they will not benefit from the government free treatment.
“SHA will not cover you, if you are not registered. It is encouraging to see most Kenyans are enthusiastic about the scheme and so far we have enrolled 25.8 million Kenyans. In the fullness of time, we hope to have all the 55 million Kenyans enrolled,” he said.
Further, Kindiki acknowledged the teething challenges facing SHA’s implementation, but assured Kenyans that all the emerging issues were being addressed promptly to improve its efficacy.
“We are fine tuning SHA. It is a new and expansive system. We are working hard to do away with the teething challenges, but be assured that it is the best investment we have ever made,” DP said.
At the same time, the second-in-command, said Central Kenya region will continue to benefit from development initiatives by the national government, just like any other part of the country, underscoring the nation’s economic recovery, as the catalyst to the ongoing development initiatives.
“We are happy the economy has stabilized enabling us to revive the roads and other socio-economic activities,” the DP noted.
In addition to reviving stalled roads, he added, the government will also prioritize dualling of the Makutano-Mwea-Embu-Chuka-Meru Highway.
“Once we are done with the Rironi-Mau Summit dualling, the next one will be Makutano to Meru,” he added.
The government is also constructing modern markets in Kagio, Mwea, Kutus, Mukinduri, Kagumo, Kibingoti, Kibirigwi towns in Kirinyaga county, among other development initiatives.
At the same time, The DP warned against attempts by some politicians to resort to violence to manage politics in the region.
“We will not allow violence in our politics. People should compete on ideologies. Looting and torching of people’s properties is not our custom, we are hardworking people who only build, without destroying,” he stated.