President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday launched a Kshs 4.05 billion National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) medical Cover that will cater for students in all public secondary schools, beginning next term. The government will pay a premium of Kshs 1,350 per student for all students, 3 million in number, in all public secondary schools, “This will ensure our students access quality health services and thereby easing the burden from their parents and guardians,” said President Kenyatta while launching the medical cover at State House, Nairobi.
He said the negotiated comprehensive cover only caters for the specific students, and its different from the usual one that caters for families. The president urged the Ministry of Health and NHIF to ensure no money is lost through corruption in the medical cover program, and directed them to ensure the health facilities that serve students are upgraded, “Since students are expected to be in school most of the time, the provider must ensure that they access medical services close to school,” he said.
The program is part of the targets of ensuring Universal Healthcare, which is part of the Big Four Agenda of the government, is achieved by 2022, and President Kenyatta is hopeful that the launch of the health insurance cover for students will encourage parents and guardians who are not members of NHIF to also enrol. The launch came after the final gala of this year’s Kenya Schools and Colleges Drama Festival where winners showcased their pieces, including choral verses, solo verses, modern and traditional dances among others.
