Council of Governors chairman Wycliffe Oparanya wants the Ministry of Health to stop the ongoing NHIF registration in the counties without the knowledge of the county bosses.
Oparanya argues that the development and implementation of any Universal Health Care model is a matter of concern for both levels of government in the President's Big 4 Agenda. The Kakamega governor has also emphasized that the delivery of UHC is not a function of the National Hospital Insurance Fund but a joint responsibility for the devolved units and the National Government. “Stop the ongoing NHIF registration…failure to consult and the lack of transparency in such processes can only breed mistrust and in the long run, prejudices the Counties. NHIF registration cannot be done in the counties without consultation" he said in a statement.
He further raised concerns that the mechanisms for consultation and coordination in the performance of functions are clearly spelt in the Law and the Intergovernmental Relations Act. "The NHIF reform process has not been finalised and it requires the involvement of both levels of government. The Multi-Agency Taskforce report is yet to be adopted and disseminated,” Oparanya said. He said that it is upon the adoption of the report that both levels of government will jointly agree on the roadmap and how to implement the report. "The government has a duty to ensure that it respects functional integrity by consulting with County Governments before proceeding to undertake any health reforms at the County level." he added. UHC aims to ensure all Kenyans have access to preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services at a fee many that many Kenyans can afford.
But Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said the programme will be rolled under the NHIF which will biometrically capture the details of everyone registered.
The pilot phase of UHC launched in 2018 covered Machakos, Kisumu, Nyeri and Isiolo counties.
The lessons learnt from the mentioned counties will inform the roll out of of the programme across the county.
UHC is one of the programmes under big four agender that the president is banking on to earn his legacy in 2022. Others include Manufacturing, Agriculture and Infrastructure.