By Mwenda Njeru
Tharaka Nithi County Government will start charging Facility Improvement Fund (FIF) in its dispensaries and health centres to curb flooding by patients from the neighbouring Embu, Meru and Kitui counties.
Speaking yesterday in Ganga ward in Maara constituency, Governor Njuki said the neigbouring counties are already charging the FIF money, so their residents are crossing to Tharaka Nithi County for free services.
Njuki said even his county residents are also shunning Level Four and Level Five hospitals which charge some money for free services in dispensaries and health centres.
“I have asked the county assembly to decide whether we will continue spending the scarce resources with our neighbours or we will also start charging some little money in our health centres and dispensaries,” said Njuki.
The FIF Act, 2023 guides the counties on collecting, retaining and managing revenue generated from health-related services rendered at public health facilities.
The county boss said some of the border health facilities which have witnessed increased patients from the neighbouring counties are Kibugua Health Centre, Kibunga Health Centre and Kathangacini Health Centre which borders Embu, Meru and Kitui counties, respectively.
He said the stock of drugs which used to take three months are running out of stock in less than two months and the data clearly shows that a good percentage of patients are from the neighbouring counties.
“I urge our county residents to agree to pay some little money, not more than Sh100 so that even if our neighbours decide to continue visiting our hospitals, there will be some money to buy the extra drugs,” he said.
The county chief also urged members of the public to embrace the culture of visiting hospitals for medical check-ups even when they are not feeling sick so that in case they are sick, the illnesses can be detected early.
Tharaka Nithi Women Representative Susan Ngugi also asked the county residents to immediately report to hospitals or authorities any suspected case of MPox to avoid deaths and spread of the disease.
She said the viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus is mainly spread through contact by an infected person and has almost similar symptoms to those of measles including sore throat, fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes among others.
“Our people must be vigilant to report to the authorities or the nearest health facility, any patient presenting such symptoms for quick action,” said Ms Ngugi.
