NHIF still has a critical role to play despite hurdles

The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) has of late attracted negative publicity owing to allegations of corruption and malfeasance involving senior executives and some board members, some of whom are already battling prosecution in court. The latest twist in the NHIF saga erupted in the public domain just when the government was launching the pilot phase of the Universal Health Care (UHC) programme.

Kenyans have every right to be angry at what transpired at NHIF and to demand that any money that may have been lost be recovered from those implicated.

However, it would be disastrous to throw the NHIF baby out with the bath water. Truth be told, we cannot ignore or downplay the important role that NHIF has played, and continues to play in delivery of affordable, accessible and quality health care services to millions of Kenyans who are its members and their families.

Walk into any hospital or health facility in Kenya and you are sure to find a patient with an NHIF card. This demonstrates the amount of work done in creating public awareness of its role in enabling Kenyans access quality and affordable health services.

With an estimated 7.5 million members and growing (not counting dependants), NHIF remains the biggest player in delivery of affordable health care to millions of households in the country. From a social insurance perspective, the Fund is one of the most critical actors in ensuring the health and well-being of individuals, households and communities in Kenya.

Take for instance some medical and surgical procedures that were previously considered far beyond the reach of the ordinary struggling person that are now be accessed in public and private hospitals with as little as Sh500 in monthly contributions to the Fund.

I am not saying that the NHIF is not grappling with issues that have undermined its ability to deliver on this nationally crucial mandate. We should address those issues without derailing reforms that have been carried out at NHIF over the years.

In other words, what NHIF needs is entrenching of reforms to shield it from recurrent governance crises that have continued to undermine its reputation as a reliable and competent institutional enabler of universal health coverage in Kenya.

The government and other stakeholders should not be distracted by corruption allegations swirling around NHIF from building on the gains realized thus far into transforming it into the prime provider of public health insurance in Kenya.

In addition, NHIF’s mandate in the pursuing the UHC dream cannot be delegated or transferred to other government agencies given the unique capabilities and competencies the public health insurance fund has acquired over time.

Expanding membership and educating the public on the benefits of health insurance will drive increased uptake of NHIF services given its expansive footprint across the country. NHIF is a recognisable brand and not too difficult to sell. Besides, with health as a devolved function, the Fund can partner with counties in making affordable health a reachable goal.

FRANCIS MURIUKI, Strategic communication consultant