Aasai

Kenyans will soon benefit from free outpatient medical services in all hospitals after the government allocated funds for them in order for the citizens to get good health services. Speaking during a consultative meeting with grassroots women leaders and opinion makers from Kirinyaga County at his home in Irunduni, Tharaka Nithi County, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the payments to be made under the new SHA medical insurance will reduce the burden of hospital bills for many Kenyans seeking treatment. 

“In the current Budget, the government has approved Ksh.22 billion to ensure that SHA pays all outpatient medical bills in all hospitals in Kenya. If you go to the hospital and are not delayed, you receive treatment and go home without paying anything,” Prof. Kindiki said. For a patient to enjoy the service, the DP noted, one must be registered if he is not to benefit from encoura treatment. 

"We see that many Kenyans are enthusiastic about it and so far, we have registered 25.8 million Kenyans. We hope to register all 55 million Kenyans," he said. Furthermore, Prof. Kindiki acknowledged the challenges facing the implementation of SHA but assured that they are being addressed urgently to improve its effectiveness. "We are reforming SHA.

 It is a new and more comprehensive system. We are working hard to overcome the challenges but rest assured that it is the best investment we have ever made," the DP said. Meanwhile, the second chief said the Mount Kenya region would continue to benefit from development, like every other part of the country. He stressed the strengthening of the national economy as a catalyst for ongoing development plans. 

"We are happy that the economy has stabilized, enabling us to revive roads and other socio-economic activities," the DP noted. In addition to reviving the stalled roads, he promised, the government will also prioritize the construction of the Makutano-Mwea-Embu-Chuka-Meru highway. "Once we complete the dualization of Rironi-Mau Summit, the next one will be Makutano to Meru," he added.

 The leadership is also building Modern Markets in Kirinyaga County including in the towns of Kagio, Mwea, Kutus, Mukinduri, Kagumo, Kibingoti, Kibirigwi and others. Prof. Kindiki warned against attempts by some politicians to instigate violence to control politics in the region. "We will not allow violence in our politics. "People should compete on ideology. Looting and burning peoples property is not our tradition, we are hardworking people who build, not destroy," he said.