The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) allocated Sh65 million for drug rehabilitation services in the 2017/18 financial year, covering 685 patients, according to internal records. This marked a decline from Sh115 million spent in 2016/17 for 1,634 beneficiaries.
The rehabilitation program addresses chronic substance use disorders, including alcohol, cannabis, heroin, and cocaine addiction. It includes detoxification, structured rehabilitation, and aftercare, with treatment durations up to 90 days. Patients typically enter the system through referrals from hospitals, courts, or religious institutions.
A 2017 NACADA survey revealed alcohol abuse accounted for 10.4% of substance use disorders among individuals aged 15-65. Regional disparities were stark, with Nairobi reporting the highest alcohol addiction rate at 18.4%, followed by Western (13.1%) and Rift Valley (10.7%) regions.
Despite the program's five-year existence, NHIF benefits manager Gilbert Osoro noted low uptake due to only five accredited rehabilitation centers nationwide. These include facilities in Nairobi and Kiambu counties, with Mathari Mental Hospital serving as the sole government-run referral center.
