By Norah Musega
900 families from Suna West Constituency are set to benefit from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) funded by National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) kitty.
The area Member of Parliament launched the kitty saying that the program will go along way in assisting several vulnerable families from within the constituency shoulder hospital bill with ease.
Hon. Peter Masara assured the beneficiaries that under his leadership, he will ensure the insurance bills are catered for in the NG-CDF budged adding that this will cost Sh6000 per family and a total of Sh5.4 million for the 900 families annually.
“Every constituency has its priorities and since I have seen the struggles of most of my constituents whenever they fall sick, I decided to take the initiative to launch the project as a way of serving the interests of my people. If elected a second time, my office will pay the Sh6000 for the 900 families yearly,” said Masara.
Masara told the Education News that those eligible to benefit from the program are the elderly, widows and widowers in the society with their beneficiaries only being those under their care and below the age of 18 years.
“The program will not only benefit the adults but they are free to add their spouses if any as beneficiaries and their children but only those under the age of 18 years as stipulated by the NHIF guidelines,” He noted, adding that he decided to launch the initiative to enhance the National Governments’ Big Four agenda on universal health saying health is important for the prosperity of the society.
Masara however revealed that due to delay by the government in disbursement of funds, his office had only paid Sh3 million to the NHIF for 500 beneficiaries. He urged the other 400 also set to benefit from the kitty to exercise patience as their money will be paid in the next two weeks to enable them access the same health services fully funded by Suna West NG-CDF.
During the launch held at Piny Oyie within the constituency which graced by representatives from Equity Bank, NHIF and the NG-CDF led by the chair Ms. Maria Lokolota, the NG-CDF board director – who were hosted by the Member of Parliament – locals expressed gratitude towards the MP saying several orphans living with their grandparents have suffered while trying to access medication and therefore the initiative has brought to an end their nightmares along the corridors of health facilities.
The NG-CDF director applauded the MP for considering the initiative reiterating that it will contribute towards achieving the National Government’s Big four agenda on universal health care.
