NHIF to put an end to medical fraud

National Hospital Insurance Fund chief executive Geoffrey Mwangi speaks during an interview at Nation Centre on April 25, 2017. He has said the agency will tackle challenges facing the sector. PHOTO | CHARLES KAMAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • NHIF and Cotu said they are committed to streamlining operations within the health sector.
  • Mr Atwoli revealed that plans were afoot to implement a post-retirement medical insurance scheme.

The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) has put on notice workers engaging in medical fraud.

NHIF and the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) said they are committed to streamlining operations within the health sector.

MALPRATICE

The two parties met in Naivasha for a three-day consultative meeting where they agreed on the need of strengthening NHIF’s administrative systems to curb malpractices and fraud.

Speaking at the end of the meeting at the Great Rift Valley Lodge, NHIF chief executive Geoffrey Mwangi said the agency will tackle various problems ailing the industry.

LICENCE

He said those found engaging in malpractice will lose their licences.

"We know what they are doing are we are watching them…the fund is no longer a pot of honey," Mr Mwangi said.

REVIEW LAW
Additionally, Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli said they will work jointly with the NHIF in fighting vice.

Mr Atwoli also said that the NHIF Act should be reviewed to provision for funds to cater for the poor and the vulnerable.

He said the move is aimed at offering care to all Kenyans.

"In order to realise the government’s vision for universal health care coverage there is a need to review the Act," he said.

INSURANCE
He revealed that plans were afoot to implement a post-retirement medical insurance scheme.

"Retired Kenyans who have all along participated and contributed towards nation building need to be accorded a descent retirement send-off," he said.

SERVICES

He added that both parties would like some of the public hospitals to be fully dedicated to NHIF card holders, equipped with sufficient drugs and have adequate medical practitioners.

Dr Ouma Oluga, secretary-general of Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentist Union, acknowledged the need to tame medical misconduct, blaming unscrupulous officials within health facilities.