MURANG’A COUNTY — Governor Irungu Kang’ata announced the expansion of the Kang’ata Care health scheme, adding more than 18,000 vulnerable households, which raises the total number of beneficiaries to 38,865 households or roughly 120,000 individuals.
According to Kenya News Agency, the announcement came as he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) on Monday. The new beneficiaries will start receiving health coverage beginning January 2024. The scheme offers medical coverage to vulnerable households identified and registered in a county-wide program led by the community. Enrolled households receive the Kang’ata Care card, enabling them to access services in any NHIF-accredited health facility nationwide.
Last fiscal year, Murang’a County government allocated Sh. 164 million to support the health scheme, providing free medical care in both public and private hospitals to registered vulnerable households. During the MoU signing, Governor Kang’ata emphasized the expanded reach of the program, stating that the scheme now covers more medical services than the standard NHIF coverage.
The health services available under Kang’ata Care include inpatient and outpatient treatment, maternity, oncology, radiology, emergency evacuation, foreign treatment, surgery, dialysis, mental and behavioral health, as well as dental and optical treatments. The annual premium for the scheme, to be paid by the County government, will be Sh. 240 million and is subject to renewal or revision based on increasing numbers of beneficiaries. The premium payable per household per year is Sh. 8,490, and an additional Sh. 10,000 will be allocated for last expenses once in a financial year.
NHIF Chief Executive Officer Elijah Wachira lauded the scheme, stating it aligns with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda aimed at rolling out Universal Health Coverage. Wachira encouraged other counties to learn from Murang’a and adopt similar health coverage programs for their less fortunate residents.