President Kenyatta, the First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, at State House Gardens on April 13, 2018. PHOTO |PSCU
By PATRICK MAYOYO
newsdesk@reporter.co.ke
Fears have been raised by Kenyans that a new medical scheme launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta could be a ploy to defraud tax-payers.
Among those who have raised their concerns about the new medical scheme is Dr Ouma Oluga, the Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmarcists and Dentists Union (KMDU).
Dr Oluga has said President Kenyatta’s advisors have misled him on the new medical scheme.
“God be you Mr President because your advisors must be against you. Sh 4 billion would ensure the parents, so even their siblings in primary school benefit from NHIF,” he said in a tweet.
President Uhuru Kenyatta on April 13, 2018 launched Sh4.05 billion National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) medical scheme for all students in public secondary schools.
The government will pay a premium of Sh1,350 per student for the three million students as part of efforts to fulfil one pillar of the Big Four Agenda- provision of affordable health care to all.
Speaking during the launch at State House, Nairobi, President Kenyatta said the negotiated comprehensive cover is unique since it only caters for students, rather than the usual one that caters for families.
“This will ensure that our students access quality health services and thereby easing the burden from their parents and guardians,” President Kenyatta said, adding that the initiative is expected to have a phenomenal impact in the transformation of the nation.
President Kenyatta directed NHIF and the Ministry of Education to be keen on ensuring money is not lost through corruption as the scheme is implemented.
However, Kenyans have termed the new medical scheme as a scam.
