National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) has rolled out an electronic claim management system in Kakamega County to improve on its services.
The system seeks to improve the quality of service as well as minimise fraudulent cases in management of the funds as NHIF targets more Kenya to join the Fund to access quality and affordable health services.
Speaking during the official launch of the e-claim system at Kakamega County General Teaching and Referral Hospital, Governor H.E Dr FCPA Wycliffe Oparanya commended NHIF management for embracing new technology to improve services to clients.
“Digitization of NHIF services at our facilities will help ease access to benefits by clients, improve on service delivery and deter fraudulent cases experienced before ,” said the governor in a speech read on his behalf by his deputy H.E Prof Philip Kutima.
He added: “Kakamega County is among nine counties in Western region that the new system has been rolled out in,”
He noted that NHIF has been a key partner in the health sector especially in implemention of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Programme.
“During the financial year 2019/2020, the County Government of Kakamega enrolled 8,840 poor households on the NHIF Programme. Each household was paid for Ksh6,000 for a year at a cost of Ksh 53 million,” he said.
Dr Peter Kamunyo, NHIF CEO said the Fund targets to ensure every Kenyan access quality and affordable health care.
“This move is part of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four Agenda for UHC to provide access to healthcare for all Kenyans,” said Dr Kimunyo.
He added that he was impressed by healthcare programmes being implemented by the county and assured them of the support of NHIF for effective realization of the services.
Dr Collins Matemba CECM for Health Services asked NHIF to ensure timely disbursement of hospital claims and capitation in order to improve services.
“NHIF should consider capturing the new specialized services in yet to be negotiated and signed contract for the level five facility,” said Dr Matemba.
Dr Anthony Walela CECM for Health Services in Bungoma County, Representative from AMREF, CGH Medical Superintendent Dr Victor Zimbulu among other senior officers were present.