Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has said that her ministry is working on improving the dedicated hospitals for boda boda riders.
Speaking during the launch of BodaBoda Care, the CS said the well-being of the riders is important and the ministry is working on training other personnel for better care.
"We are working together to promote health and prevent diseases. A good number has gone through training for first aid, we are determined to serve the boda boda riders well," she said.
She added that the referral hospitals around the country will have well-trained health workers who will deal with injuries and mental health issues.
Nakhumicha also announced that all boda boda riders will be enrolled on the NHIF scheme for one year, free of charge.
"We are giving a group of boda boda riders a cover for a whole year through NHIF. Ensure your family members are listed, including your wife and children. It is not a personal property," she said.
The CS said the move will enable every rider to be enrolled on the scheme for better health access, encouraging them to be safe while on the roads.
In March, the Ministry of Health initiated the process of restructuring the National Health Insurance Fund to a new National Social Health Insurance Fund (NSHIF) to increase the efficiency and transparency of the fund.
This means the new scheme once operationalised will pay a similar amount as claims for services rendered across all the healthcare facilities irrespective of whether they fall under public, private or faith-based.
“As we reform NHIF we want to have a new vehicle; a social health insurance that takes care of the needs of Kenyans, that should a patient choose to walk to Coptic hospital, Coptic will have its bill paid by a new social health insurance scheme,” Nakhumicha said.
