KENYA – Kenya’s newly appointed Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Susan Nakhumicha Wafula has urged the National Health Insurance Fund leadership to align its operations with the needs of its customers as the country makes progress in achieving effective health coverage.

An official statement released by the Ministry of Health says the government has prioritized the constitutional right to health by committing to deliver on its Universal health coverage (UHC) agenda that will focus on primary healthcare and universal system of seamless health insurance.

The press release underscored that Nakhumicha was accompanied by Health Principal Secretary Susan Mochache, Acting Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth and other senior officials from the government department.

During the familiarization visit, the CS also toured the NHIF customer experience center that offers around the clock communication support services to its customers,” the statement said.

The newly appointed official assured the management and board of the NHIF that the government remains committed to deliver on its universal healthcare promise, noting that the Fund is expected to play a critical role in its implementation.

There is a need to align your strategic plan with the government’s UHC agenda to make it more patient-centered. The government remains committed to ensuring that individuals and communities access quality healthcare services without suffering financial hardship,” Nakhumicha said.

She further emphasized on the dire need for NHIF to fully digitize its operations to enhance efficiency and reduce wastage while lauding the management on the major progress made so far to improve health outcomes.

I am encouraged by what you have been able to achieve in-house. Let us make good use of the resources available to improve services even as we go out to bring all stakeholders on board,” she acknowledged the NHIF leadership.

Commenting on corporate restructuring at the state corporation, NHIF CEO Peter Kamunyu said the Fund has embarked on a transformational agenda to enhance efficiency and make it more customer responsive.

Upgrading of the NHIF system which currently operates on a legacy system, development of an optimal centralized healthcare management system, prompt remittance of premiums and budgetary approvals are some of the urgent concerns that need to be addressed in order to realize the plan,” he added.

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