A spot check by KNA at several health facilities in Migori County has revealed an influx of patients, many of whom were forced to pay in cash while attempting to register for the new health insurance under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Felix Okello, Finance Officer at St. Joseph Ombo Mission Hospital, stated that they are facing significant challenges as the SHA is being implemented.
Okello said that the majority of patients that were coming to the hospital had not been registered to SHA giving the Missionary hospital a lot of challenges in assisting the patients
Migori County Executive Committee Member for (CECM) for Health, Caleb Opondi, however, confirmed to the media that they have received over 200 registration devices from the national government to aid in the registration process.
Caleb said that the Community Health Promoters (CHP) have already been trained on how to conduct registrations adding that the devices will be distributed to all health facilities, including private hospitals across the county.
Echoing his statement, Migori Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Primary Health Care Promoter David Nyamohanga, expressed confidence that the registration process will proceed smoothly.
However, Peter Mwita, a patient at Migori Level Four Hospital was optimistic that he would be treated under the new SHA having already registered a few weeks ago.
“I am hoping to be treated through the new SHA because I do not have any cash to pay for my medical bills”, said Mwita.
IAN BYRON