Ruaraka Uhai’s top quality and subsidy scheme worth emulating.
I visited Ruaraka Uhai Neema Hospital opposite Kasarani stadium recently as they received their Safecare Level V Accreditation.
Safecare is a programme espousing continuous quality improvement in health facilities.
The hospital joins a handful of facilities operating under the continuous quality improvement model as opposed to a certification.
CEO Gabrielle Beacco said that their catchment includes Mathare, Baba Dogo, Korogocho, Kasarani and Githurai areas.
The facility was funded by a European Union grant through NGO World Friends.
The hospital now offers comprehensive services biased towards maternal child health.
It has full-time paediatricians and obstetrician-gynaecologists and offers subsidised rates for the specialist services.
This is commendable given the low income levels of patients served. Other services include HIV/Aids care as well as ophthalmology and dental care. The hospital served bout 90,000 patients last year, 35 per cent from poor neighbourhoods.
The CEO noted that a majority are willing to pay some money, but struggling, hence the need for a subsidy.
However, a significant number of patients are unable to pay and so their fees get waived. The hospital’s partners in the community identify needy cases to benefit from the scheme.
The hospital’s quality services have drawn patients from nearby high income neighbourhoods. This, the CEO said, helps subsidise services for poorer patients.
The hospital has unique approaches to serving its clientele. As a non-profit, its aim is to ensure a healthier population and not serving many patients. Staff engage actively in public health activities through the hospital’s education project in schools and local communities. Each school gets weekly hours of health and nutrition education.
The hospital also runs medical camps in slums to promote health and supportive care.
In an environment where hospitals compete for patients, the hospital espouses collaboration especially with smaller facilities aligned with the same goal of delivering healthcare to the poor.
It operates an ambulance referral support project, partnering with smaller community clinics to refer complicated pregnancies promptly.
Late referrals are a leading cause of maternal and neonatal mortality in slums.
Mr Beacco attributed the hospital’s achievements to committed and loyal staff.
“Everyone deserves quality affordable care regardless of status, even those who get free or subsidised care,” said Mr Beacco.
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