Plan to set up fund for chronic illnesses timely

The proposed Chronic Illness and Emergency Fund bill is a sure indicator the government is beginning to recognise and confront the significant burden of chronic diseases.

Many families have not only been left emotionally devastated, but also impoverished whenever a relative suffers a chronic illness.

The proposal to set up a special fund for the treatment of chronic illnesses will go a long way in saving patients and loved ones from out-of-pocket payments when they deplete medical covers.

As stated in the memorandum of the proposed bill, the fund is expected to cushion Kenyans from costly cash payments for chronic illnesses. The move comes at a time when there is a sharp rise in chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, kidney and heart conditions, stroke, high blood pressure, arthritis and asthma.

For decades, the World Bank, World Health Organisation and scores of NGOs have been calling for more resources to be devoted to chronic disease management and for coordinated efforts by governments to strengthen chronic disease prevention and control.

Whereas the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) has been handy to families and patients suffering from chronic diseases, its efforts have been curtailed by several challenges, among them mismanagement, inadequate financial resources and red tape bureaucracy.

And even those lucky to access funding from the national insurer, NHIF has limits on the amount to be spent on the treatment of chronic illnesses, leaving families desperately looking for the top up.

For example, patients with kidney failure, NHIF pays for two weekly dialysis sessions of Sh9,500 each, while the patient pays for the third and drugs prescribed. The health insurer also limits the number of dialysis sessions per year.

While kidney transplants cost between Sh2 million and Sh4 million depending on the type of hospital—public or private—opted for, NHIF only contributes a maximum of Sh500,000.

To cope with the burden of the illnesses, many families have had to sell property and other assets to foot the high cost of the diseases treatment and management. Few patients have pulled through by organising fund-raising. Many have ended up dying without receiving proper treatment.

Managed properly, the fund will save millions of lives and stop many families from descending into poverty every time such diseases strike.

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