The promise of free health services eludes Nakuru's elderly

More than 500 elderly people from Nakuru have petitioned the National Assembly to compel the Treasury to release money to the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to help the elderly and other vulnerable groups, access medical care at health facilities countrywide as promised last year.

The elderly, aged 70 years and above want the government to fast-track the programme rolled out by the state insurer, but which has failed to take off, to enable senior citizens in the society access medical care.

The call comes two days ahead of this year’s Mashujaa Day, which will be celebrated on Sunday  at the Mama Ngina Drive Waterfront Park in Mombasa.

Led by the Rift Valley Council of Elders chairman Gilbert Kabage, the elders on Thursday convened a meeting, at the Baptist Church Kabazi in Subukia, Nakuru County where they made the demands.

NEGLECTED

“Elderly people and the less fortunate in the society have been suffering a lot because despite government promises, the programme has never taken off. They are forced to use the cash transfer money to foot for their medical bills. We demand that the government takes care of its elderly. The move will greatly help the vulnerable groups in society get quick and easy access to healthcare without challenges, “said Mr Kabage.

The elders have also through Kabazi ward representative, Dr Peter Mbae, presented a written petition to the National Assembly, seeking to have the Treasury start releasing the funds to NHIF that would be used to enable the elderly aged 70 years and above, orphans, People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) and vulnerable children access medical care at health facilities, without challenges.

EMPTY PROMISES

According to Dr Mbae, millions of people in the country, who belong to the vulnerable groups in the society, were issued with the promise of free access to health services, but were being turned away from hospitals, and told the cards have never been funded.

“My petition seeks to have the national government register all members of the vulnerable groups and come up with a requisite legislation to protect funds meant for them. I want this programme to help the most vulnerable and needy members of our society; who cannot afford to pay for their subscription,” reads part of the petition.

The Nation learnt that the petition was received by the National Assembly clerk on September 23.

VULNERABLE GROUP

“Failure by the government to remit the money has resulted to unbearable suffering among the vulnerable groups,” further reads the petition.

The MCA also wants the government compelled to continuously register and establish a data base of all members of the vulnerable groups to ensure they benefit from NHIF, and also to establish a legislation to safeguard the allocation of funds to support the vulnerable groups access funds every financial year, to enable them access medical care.

He wants the National Assembly to continuously allocate funds for remittance to NHIF and follow up the process to ensure it helps the targeted groups.