Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Raymond Omollo, has urged Kenyans to register under the Social Health Authority (SHA), to ensure the success of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Omollo said that the only way for all Kenyans to access quality health care affordably was through registering with the health insurance fund.
The PS said families need not strain financially and sell valuable assets to access health services.
Speaking Sunday at Kendu Adventist Hospital, Homa Bay County, the PS noted that many vulnerable families were now able to receive medical care through the SHA cover.
“Kenyans are convinced that SHA is working and the negative noise we had at its early stage is no more. We appeal to all those who have not registered to do so without further delay to access healthcare seamlessly,” Omollo said.
The PS was among the guests who joined the Kendu Adventist Hospital community in marking 100 years of existence.
Omollo was accompanied by Ouma Oluga (PS Medical Services), Mary Muthoni (PS Public Health), Boniface Makokha (PS Economic Planning) and Agriculture PS Kipronoh Rono.
“I urge residents of Homa Bay County to register in large numbers with SHA. Overall, the County is ranked 13th in SHA registration, with only 44 per cent of the population registered,” he said.
The PS urged government officials and local leaders to engage Community Health Workers in registering residents with SHA effectively.
“Health is a very important sector that touches everybody. My appeal goes to County officials and other leaders to work effectively with the Community Health Volunteers in registering citizens for SHA,” Omollo said.
Oluga said the government had set aside more than Sh20 billion for funding SHA, to cushion Kenyans from paying hefty medical bills.
He said people who had not registered with SHA were denying themselves access to health care.
“The government has pumped billions of shillings to support the health sector through SHA. Let’s register so that we can get better medical care,” Oluga said.
He urged hospitals contracted by SHA, to improve their services to enhance patient satisfaction.
He said they do not want a situation where patients visit health facilities and fail to get the best medical care.
“The government is supporting universal healthcare and we urge citizens to ensure that they are of good standing with SHA,” he said.
Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga, Woman Representative Joyce Osogo, Karachuonyo MP Adipo Okuome and his Uriri counterpart Mark Nyamita urged residents to support government projects.
“The programmes that the government has rolled out in Homa Bay County are monumental. Let’s support the government to realise its goal of developing all regions.” Magwanga said.
By Davis Langat
