Manage our hospitals, Nyandarua residents ask national govt

A section of leaders and residents from Nyandarua County want the national government to manage public hospitals so that the common mwananchi can access health services with ease.

Speaking during a function at Ndunyu Njeru trading centre in Nyandarua County, the residents said health services were becoming expensive since a majority of them are forced to seek critical services from privately owned health facilities as the government owned facilities lack essential services including drugs.

They lamented that many Kenyans especially low income earners have been dealt a big blow since they were unable to obtain medical services and are then forced to seek other means of raising medical funds.

The residents complained that the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is too expensive to manage, particularly for self-employed people, adding that most of them depend on casual obs to make a living.

Speaking at the same function, Dr Michael Munene, the director of ARECA-DAPs, a non-governmental organization, called on the government to consider lowering the rates (NHIF) for voluntary members to enable them continue contributing to the health insurance scheme.

On his part, Francis Kimemia, the former secretary to the cabinet and chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC), called on the government to come to the rescue of the poor Kenyans saying there is need for the government to form a national commission or a committee that will bring together the ministries of Office of the President, Labour, Finance, Ministry of Culture and Social Services, among other stakeholders to re-look into the matter to ensure that their interests are considered and formulate ways of supporting their needs.

He said a special fund needs to be set aside to support people with special needs and those under-privileged so that they can live a comfortable lives.

By Peter Mwangi