We aim to ensure every Kenyan has medical cover – Kindiki

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki now says that the government is determined to make sure all citizens have medical coverage.

Speaking during the opening of the National and County Governments Health Summit at his Karen residence, Kindiki said that it is achievable.

He went on to say the Kenya Kwanza administration remains focused on making this a reality in the shortest time possible.

“Our target is to make sure every citizen has medical cover. It is possible and we are focused on making sure that is made possible in the shortest time possible,” Kindiki said.

The summit also doubled up as a High-Level Consultative forum on the status of implementation of the Universal Health Coverage in the country.

The Deputy President noted that the government has made good progress in the registration of Kenyans into the Taifa Care program, under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

He added that despite this, there is a need to increase and stabilise contributions to the fund to strengthen other offerings including care, treatment and referrals.

“We are making good progress in registration. We are at 19.5 million enrolled. However, the situation is to firm up on the contributions. At the moment we need to do some work to ensure that as many people are registered they are making contributions.

“All the 19.5 million registered are enjoying primary health which the government is providing free of charge. In other forms of care, treatment and referrals, we have quite a number of Kenyans who are registered and not making contributions. We must find a way of making them contribute to enjoy the full health package available beyond primary care.”

Kindiki added that the government is also reviewing the Means Testing Tool and in the next few days, there will be a new Means Testing Tool. 

The DP assured that it will be more accurate and objective compared to what is currently in use.

“The tool will be informed by data, there is ongoing work to integrate critical data to be used in the revised tool which has been reviewed following feedback from the people and stakeholders in the last five months,” he added.