Written by PMPS 2012-05-21 17:35:00 Read 913 Times

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has expressed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the crisis facing the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) is solved expeditiously.

He said that efforts aimed at availing quality health services to Kenyans cannot be compromised adding that NHIF crisis is solvable.

“We are going to ensure that everything possible is done so that the scheme that we have started is rolled out and is accessible to every Kenyan,” he said.

The PM therefore, promised that the ongoing investigations on the Civil Service medical scheme will be carried out transparently.

He said that, “The investigations which have been instituted are going to done without any form of victimization and blackmail. We are going to get the truth to ensure that the system is not nipped in a bud because it is important to our people as it will make healthcare both accessible and affordable.”

The Premier made the remarks Monday when he opened the ultra modern Medanta Afri Care facility that will carry out diagnostic services in the region.

The PM said that the government welcomes the private sector to invest in the health sector so that every Kenyan has access to quality, all-inclusive and affordable healthcare.

He said that with the rise in life style diseases like cancer and diabetes, the health sector faces new challenges therefore calling for urgent improvement in the country’s healthcare system.

Odinga pointed out that with 82,000 new cancer cases being detected annually, there is need to develop local diagnostic and treatment capabilities.

He disclosed that the government allocated 12.5 billion shillings equivalent to 6.5 per cent of the last year budget towards health but noted that this was inadequate and will be scaled up to meet health challenges in the country.

“Within our limited resources, however, we remain committed to a health financing system that will provide the highest attainable standard of healthcare for all Kenyans’ according to need and not according to ability to pay,” He added.

The premier asserted that the only way to achieve quality healthcare was through concerted effort between the government, private sector and the well off in the society to support the cost of healthcare for the poor.

He therefore noted that, the Medanta Investment, which is a south -to- south initiative, falls within the national dream of involving the private sector in delivering the countries Vision 2030 health goals.

In his address, the Director Africare, Mr. Samit Gehlot said that, their goal was to provide a world class proficient high quality and affordable healthcare centres, which can cater for the health needs of the people of East Africa and deliver healthcare in a committed and compassionate way.

He added that, in the next 3-5 years, the organization will set up 100 multi- specialty health centers across East Africa to provide precise diagnosis and medical treatment at an affordable price.

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