Tharaka Nithi Residents Applaud Governor Njuki’s Move To Better Access To Free Healthcare Through SHA
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki during a visit to Chuka County Referral Hospital. Photo/Alex Njeru
By Alex Njeru
Worth Noting:
- This move is seen as a major boost for residents, especially those in remote areas, who previously struggled to afford basic healthcare.
- “With this initiative, we can now access healthcare without worrying about the high costs that often keep us from seeking treatment,” said Janet Muthoni, a resident of Marimanti who had registered for the SHA. “The announcement means a lot to us, especially as we face the challenges of economic hardship.”
- Ms Muthoni said before the Governor’s intervention, SHA was demanding top-up after depleting the outpatient allocation.
- Ms Gacharua Ntakirebu, a resident of Kibunga market also lauded SHA for paying her Ksh89,000 at St Orsola Mission Hospital Materi after paying the premiums for the whole year.
Residents of Tharaka Nithi County have expressed their appreciation for Governor Muthomi Njuki’s recent move to ensure that the county’s citizens benefit from the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical health scheme.
Speaking at Marimanti Level Four Hospital, several patients who had registered for the SHA said they were grateful for the opportunity to access free outpatient and inpatient services, a significant relief for many in the region.
Governor Njuki made the announcement last week, revealing that individuals who register for the SHA would now be able to access medical services at local dispensaries and health centers without needing to pay the monthly premium upfront.
This move is seen as a major boost for residents, especially those in remote areas, who previously struggled to afford basic healthcare.
“With this initiative, we can now access healthcare without worrying about the high costs that often keep us from seeking treatment,” said Janet Muthoni, a resident of Marimanti who had registered for the SHA. “The announcement means a lot to us, especially as we face the challenges of economic hardship.”
Ms Muthoni said before the Governor’s intervention, SHA was demanding top-up after depleting the outpatient allocation.
Ms Gacharua Ntakirebu, a resident of Kibunga market also lauded SHA for paying her Ksh89,000 at St Orsola Mission Hospital Materi after paying the premiums for the whole year.
In addition to the free services at dispensaries and health centers, Governor Njuki assured that those who had registered and paid the premium would be able to access healthcare at Marimanti, Magutuni, and Kibunga hospitals – all of which are Level Four facilities.
Moreover, beneficiaries of the SHA scheme will also have access to the Chuka County Referral Hospital, a Level Five facility, without additional charges for both inpatient and outpatient.
However, despite the positive reception, some patients voiced concerns about the scheme’s implementation. Many reported that they were being asked to pay an initial lump sum for an entire year of coverage before receiving treatment, a financial barrier that some found difficult to overcome.
“We are grateful for the free services, but it is tough when we are told to pay a year’s premium upfront,” said Joseph Kimathi, another patient at the hospital.
“Many of us are already struggling to make ends meet. It would be better if the payment could be spread out, or if the down payment could be reduced.”
In response, patients have called on President William Ruto to intervene and ensure that the burden on the poor is alleviated.
Specifically, they have urged the government to ensure that the common people pay Ksh300 per month a reduction from Ksh500 for the now-disbanded National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), a measure they believe would make healthcare more accessible to low-income households.
Hospital managements, too, have expressed frustration with the current system. Several administrators, have raised concerns about delayed disbursements from the national government after offering services under the SHA.
They argue that the delays hinder the hospitals’ ability to operate effectively and provide consistent care to patients.
“Timely payment from the government is crucial for smooth operations,” said one hospital administrator who preferred to remain anonymous. “Without it, we are left with logistical challenges that affect the quality of services we can offer to our patients.”
As the county navigates these challenges, local leaders, including Governor Njuki, have vowed to continue pushing for improvements in the healthcare system.
Governor Njuki emphasized that the goal of the SHA initiative was to make healthcare affordable and accessible for everyone in the country, regardless of their financial situation.
“We are committed to making sure our people receive the care they deserve,” Governor Njuki said. “We will continue to work closely with the national government to address the challenges and ensure that healthcare remains a priority for all.”
In the county, registration is taking place in all health facilities, at SHA offices and in the villages by Community Health Promoters.
For now, residents are hopeful that the improvements to the SHA will lead to greater access to medical services in Tharaka Nithi, though they continue to advocate for further reforms to ensure that the most vulnerable are not left behind.
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