Vihiga: Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo today assented to the Vihiga County Facilities Improvement Fund (FIF) Bill 2025, paving the way for the health facilities to retain and use the monies collected. The governor said the act grants all the health institutions the opportunity to budget, plan, and implement their programs without interference from any quarters and hence is intended to achieve quality seamless services for the local residents.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Ottichilo directed the County Executive Committee Member (CECM), Julius Maruja, to expedite the establishment of the regulations for the operationalization of the Act. The county head said they are going to liaise with the county assembly and conduct vigorous campaigns in trading centers and other forums to enable as many people as possible to enroll with the Social Health Authority (SHA) so that they can get a substantial capitation from the authority. He lamented that the SHA registration was at 25 percent, a scenario that is constraining the county from accessing the SHA funds.
On his part, the CECM said his team is determined to ensure the transformation of the county health sector in a bid to promote the quality of services to the people. He stated that the FIF law will go a long way in enhancing self-reliance in the provision of health care services to the residents. Maruja added that with the increase in the enrollment with SHA, the facilities are bound to get more funding for running their programs.
The Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Lugaga/Wamuluma ward, who doubles as the chairperson of the health committee Fred Mavisi, urged the county department of finance to put modalities in place to ensure the health facilities are allowed to independently spend their revenues. Mavisi called on the county treasury to consider fast-tracking the approvals for the expenditure of the monies meant for development of health infrastructure as well as procurement of medical supplies. He at the same time appealed to the county administration to ensure the health workers’ salaries are paid regularly so as to boost their morale.