This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
On June 3, 2020, Laikipia County Governor Ndiritu Muriithi announced that the county government had paid full premiums to the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) for 4,523 vulnerable households.
This move will see an additional 22,615 residents of the county covered by the health insurer at a cost of Sh27 million.
The households were identified based on social economic status data collected by Community Health Volunteers.
"A resilient and sustainable health system is one of the goals my administration is focused on achieving in the post-Covid-19 era," Governor Muriithi said during the announcement.
As part of the county's efforts to provide quality and affordable healthcare, NHIF has accredited 45 public health facilities in the area, with another 39 facilities set to be accredited by June 30th.
The county has also recruited an additional 152 health workers of several cadres to boost healthcare in the area.
"This has seen all our dispensaries achieving the standard of two nurses per facility. Other facilities like Likii, Kimanjo, Salama, and Rumuruti have pharmaceutical and laboratory technologists, clinical officers, and public health officers," Governor Muriithi added.
Health facilities across the county have recently received essential drugs and other commodities worth Sh41 million.
"These commodities are meant to help in the management and control of diseases and I urge citizens to utilize our facilities even in the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic," Governor Muriithi said.
