The Council of Governors (CoG) appeared to beat a retreat on earlier opposition of the government’s plan to channel free maternity cash through the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
The council said under NHIF, critical issues such as registration of expectant mothers would be addressed adequately. In a statement after the council’s two-day meeting in Naivasha, CoG chairman Peter Munya said the move if actualised, would ease the burden on expectant mothers.
He said the council had entrusted the Health ministry to help actualise the programme and fast-track issuance of insurance cards to expectant mothers.
“The ministry should also ensure county governments’ representation in the NHIF and KEMSA boards through amendments to the various laws relating to health,” said Munya.
Last month, Munya had opposed the plan, saying it would create a major scandal. “Women will suffer and the maternity services will collapse due to the cartels who control NHIF,” he had said.
During the meeting, the council also signed a memorandum of understanding with UNICEF on immunisation of children in marginalised areas.
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