DP Gachagua vows to operationalise UHC as he urges Kenyans to register for NHIF

Gachagua said that President William Ruto's administration would prioritise investments in health with a focus on Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Addressing graduands of Outspan Medical College in Nyeri County on Saturday, the deputy president reiterated that the Kenya Kwanza government would ease the burden of hospital bills by ensuring all Kenyans access medical care under the UHC program.

“The president is clear that we must sort out the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) so that our people are healthy and can stop these wicked harambees to raise money to pay hospital bills,’ he said.

“It is being fast-tracked and in due course, we will have to cover everybody so that when we go to hospitals you give your card, you are treated and go home.”

DP Gachagua underscored that a large section of Kenyans, including people living with disability, lacked the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) coverage which denied them affordable healthcare.

He, therefore, said that the government was working to ensure everyone is covered under NHIF.

“Forming the NHIF system is also ongoing to ensure that we cover everyone including vulnerable groups like the old, People With Disabilities (PWDs), among others,” he said.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Wafula, who was also at the function, echoed Gachagua's remarks as she implored citizens to register for the NHIF coverage.

CS Wafula noted that only one million new members had registered and that the government was targeting five more million to enroll.

“I want to call upon the residents of Nyeri County and all Kenyans to get registered. That is the only avenue we have to ensure that everyone gets access to healthcare,” CS Wafula said.

“So far we have registered one million," she said.