County Government of Laikipia

The rollout of NHIF biometric registration has kicked off in earnest in Laikipia.

  

NHIF members will no longer need to carry a card when seeking treatment once their biometrics are taken in the ongoing process.

  

NHIF staff and the Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) are at six stations every day to help all members to successfully register.

  

The biometric registration will help reduce fraud of impersonation in that no one can access health services and pay hospital bills using your card. It will also play a big part in reducing ghost claims from hospitals making it more convenient to receive services. Wambugu Kariuki, Manager Universal Health Scheme noted.

  

By last Friday, 7,000 members had had their biometrics taken in Laikipia County. The County has highest number of households registered in national health insurance scheme following a serious campaign for NHIF subscription which was spearheaded by Governor Ndiritu Muriithi in 2018 and supported by MCAs and other leaders.

  

Affordable and accessible quality healthcare is critical in the realization of UHC.

  

The target for current exercise is those enrolled in NHIF but using cards, the vulnerable groups who are being paid for by the County Government, and those yet to join NHIF.

  

The countywide exercise which started on March 15 is going on unti; March 26. A national ID card and that of the spouse, together with the Birth Certificate in case of children are the only requirements for registration.

  

We have come in six teams, two in every constituency in Laikipia. We aim to register all the households. said Washington Okoth, the Acting Director ICT and NHIF.

  

There are 65 identified places where the new registration as well as updating of NHIF details are ongoing.

  

The exercise is a major step towards attainment of universal healthcare in Laikipia. Governor Muriithi is actively involved in ensuring everybody shifts to the biometric registration.

  

On Saturday, while observing the Covid-19 protocals he engaged citizens in Nyahururu, Karandi, Mutanga and Oljabet. On Sunday, he was in Kinamba, Rubere, Matwiku and Sipili. He urged the residents to register at nearest station.

  

The County leader equated the Kshs. 6,000 premiums for a whole year on NHIF to the price of one egg in a day, something that most of the people can afford compared what one would pay for a hospital bill.

  

At Ndemu in Umande ward, a resident Mr. James Gatanu said biometric registration will make it easy for him to access health services.

  

The health workers doing the registration are quite fast and I appreciate their services. I even went to get my wife so she can also be registered. he said.

  

Mr. Joseph Njogu from Mathagiro area described the digital movement as a good thing as there will be no need to carry physical cards.

  

It will help us to pay for health services without necessarily carrying the NHIF card, which gets lost sometimes. During health emergencies, you may forget where you placed your card. This biometric registration is very helpful. Njogu said.

(Source: CGL E-Newsletter)