The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Upper Eastern Region has called on the government to revert to the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF)to alleviate the suffering caused by the ongoing transition to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
NCCK upper eastern Chairman Reverend Nicholas Mutwiri said they is a lot of confusion in the rollout leading to suffering of many Kenyans as they seek medical services.
He raised concerns over the current healthcare crisis witnessed in the country as many Kenyans are unable to access medical services following the suspension of NHIF.
“I urge the government to temporarily suspend the ongoing SHA rollout until it is improved or better still it be merged with NHIF for efficient service delivery. SHA is not working but only delivering pain, death and suffering to citizens.”
“It is unfortunate that patients are being forced to pay cash from their pockets before they are allowed to access any medical service yet they have already paid for SHA.”
“I advice the government to fully involve people in the transition process because they are the main beneficiaries. It is extremely saddening to witness the suffering of our citizens. People are dying because they cannot access medical care. Let the government listen to the cry of it people,” said Reverend Mutwiri.
He said the transition was poorly managed leaving millions without cover.
The clergy called on the government to focus on service delivery and not politics because residents are suffering from biting poverty, insecurity and high taxation.
He said the government should immediately address the issues touching on food security, adequate health services, security, alcohol and drug abuse which has caused suffering and family breakdown in the country.
The clergy urged the government to speed up finalizing cases involving alcohol and drug abuse in order to reduce the menace.
Rev Mutwiri also raised concerns about over taxing Kenyans noting the new taxes which are emerging every day are overburdening Kenyans.
“Due to the new taxation regime, some are unable to afford even a single meal per day leading to insecurity because many steal in order to make ends meet. Let the government introduce taxes that are affordable to Kenyans instead of overburdening them,” said the Chairman.
The church also raised concerns over the alarming increase of teenage pregnancies in Meru county.
They called on parents to strictly monitor their children all the time and find out what they are doing with the phones on social media.
Reverend Mutwiri called on both the government and the church to come up with appropriate contemporary mechanism of safe guarding the children interests.
He challenged the parents and church to take responsibility by nurturing children fit for the future generation.
