It’s all smiles in Mandera North as national government Constituency Development Funds promises to sponsor 500 vulnerable households to a tune of 3 million to access NHIF medical cover in realization of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) one of the government big four agenda. While presenting a cheque to NHIF at an event in Mandera , Major Bashir Abdullahi member of Parliament Mandera North Constituency said the initiative is a special program design and developed by NHIF and his office to benefit more than 5000 people in his constituency. ” NHIF through Supa cover and NG-CDF Mandera North has agreed to help the vulnerable ,I have discussed this with NHIF chief executive and we are optimistic that the right people will benefit with this special program,we are targeting 500 households which will add up to 5000 beneficiaries”, said Bashir.
Bashir added that those already registered with NHIF are not eligible for this program as it only targets to register new members from vulnerable households to avoid double registration of the needy in the society. Hon Bashir promised that the number will be increase to 800 households by next year which translates to 8000 beneficiaries. On his part Mandera NHIF Manager Ahmed Yakub requested women to be registered as principal members as cases of men abandoning their families and starting new ones are rampart in the area.
“Our office have had challenges when it comes to amendment because of cases of men abandoning their families, i want to echo sentiments, that women be made principal members because we will be sure the right and targeted beneficiaries will benefit ,”said Yakub. Rhamu area chief Mohamed Hussein thanked both National government and NHIF and promised to help in getting the deserving households.