NHIF maternity salary hits Sh1.5b

The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) Free Maternity Payments have pbaded the 1 , 5 billion shillings since it was launched in October 2016.

A review of financial records indicates that the state insurer paid 1.5 billion shillings during the fiscal year 2017/2018, compared to 28 million shillings paid for 2016/2017, or 5,183

According to a financial record of the NHIF obtained by the Sunday Nation the money was used to pay bills 395,918 mothers and 223,459 deliveries across the country.

Nicknamed "Linda Mama – Boresha Jamii", the free maternity ward was launched in October 2016, after the NHIF signed a memorandum of understanding with the government in February 2016.

"The sharp rise in Maternity claims that the Fund has fully resumed the Linda Mama program, which was previously largely under the Ministry of Health, "NHF boss Geoffrey Mwangi said, adding that registered maternal services started on the 1st of May. May 2017.

The free maternity program was transferred to the NHIF in 2016 for mothers from low-income backgrounds.

The program of nearly 4 billion shillings guarantees expectant mothers at least four prenatal visits, deliveries (normal and cesarean) and post-natal, as well as vaccinations for their children, with coverage of about 6000 Sh per woman

The statistical summary of 2017 indicates that it there were approximately 1.5 million births in 2016, with approximately 875,101 children delivered to a health facility [19659006] The NHIF's official records also show that expenditures for kidney transplants, minor and major surgeries, and For example, the Fund notes a 198% increase in renal transplant payments from 22 to 65 million shillings. Surgical allowances also increased by 73 percent, from 2.1 billion to 3.6 billion shillings, and rehabilitation for drugs and drug addiction also consumed 54 million shillings, compared to 32 million sh. [19659006] The number of hospital patients also increased, see the settlement of the claims of Sh14 billion compared to the previous Sh12 billion.

Ambulatory services also increased to 7.5 billion shillings from the previous Sh5 billion.

Cancer treatment took Sh1.4 billion Sh1.2 billion, dental (managed diet) consumed Sh559 million of Sh373 million, and the fund has, in the past three years, developed and deployed a new structure of benefits to expand access to health care and drug addiction. "The report signed by the Director General Geoffrey Mwangi notes."

million. Mwangi added that the extended package of benefits currently offered has increased health care access for NHIF members and at the same time boosted the ability of health care providers to offer more care. effective to members.

He added that the number of main members of the Fund rose from 6.8 million last year to 7.77 million shillings. llion.

"This growth is attributed to various initiatives that include the recruitment of community health volunteers, partnerships with various counties, public education and local activations," added Mwangi

. the private sector is followed by microinsurance, which is 38%

The private sector is made up of small firms while microinsurance is made up of voluntary contributors.

million. Mwangi said the Fund is implementing various programs to improve social protection and inclusivity.