Nakuru civil servants seek private wings in hospitals
By KNA, May 25, 2023Civil s servants in Nakuru county have challenged public hospitals to set aside private wings for them.
Led by Nakuru West DCC Simon Werre, the officers said public hospitals should to offer express services for public officers.
“Civil servants always have their deductions made promptly to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and this, therefore, means they are the primary financiers of NHIF. It, therefore, calls for VIP treatment when they access public hospitals,” said Werre.
The officers regretted that no resources had been designated for government workers and long queues had pushed them to seek services in private hospitals, further denying the government funded institutions an opportunity to earn from the fund.
The medical covers that are now capped at Sh70,000 (outpatient) and Sh700,000 (inpatient) for officers serving in job Groups A to K, cover the principal member, spouse and up to five children.
Avert depletion
Meanwhile, NHIF Rift Valley Regional Manager Robert Otom, while calling on the officers to prudently put to use their covers to avert depletion before the end of the financial year, noted that the shared resources were limited to the seven family members for a year.
“We are in talks with the county government officers to help them see the business sense of having a specialized wing for civil servants in every public facility. Most officers have found themselves exhausting their limits half way while attending private hospitals that charge exorbitantly,” added Otom, noting the need to improve services at the facilities as they were the drivers of UHC.
The officers are required to make additional contributions for more children, with those changing spouses only allowed to cover them after a month. The Comprehensive cover, also takes care of fertility treatment, dialysis, drug and substance abuse rehabilitation as well as treatment overseas among others. – KNA