NHIF EFFORTS TO RESTORE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE SHOULD GO BEYOND PRESS STATEMENTS

NHIF'S EFFORTS TO RESTORE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE SHOULD GO BEYOND PRESS STATEMENTS

The comprehensive medical insurance scheme for civil servants is finally back on track. The assurance by the caretaker board that was recently appointed to streamline activities of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) that the health services were not affected by the recent controversy surrounding the scheme is a positive move in the right direction.

The controversy involved two private health care clinics, Meridian health care and clinix healthcare clinics. It is alleged that the two healthcare clinics not only received the largest budgetary allocations from NHIF but also that this was done under unclear circumstances since due process was not followed before the said funds were disbursed to the clinics. The ensuing drama of firing, rehiring and firing of the NHIF board left Kenyans wondering what would happen to their hard earned cash. The fear that thousands of Kenyans might lose their money in form of their contribution to NHIF was traumatizing. It also cast aspersion on what was being described by proponents of the scheme as ‘the boldest single step that this country has taken towards the provision of affordable health care’.

The latest move by the NHIF caretaker board, therefore, is most welcome. However, the board should know that restoring lost trust and confidence is not a walk in the park. Mere statements issued through the press are not enough to satisfy the expectations of the public. Civil servants, who are the main beneficiaries of the scheme, will not be satisfied until they see the outcome of the ongoing investigations of the scandal. Most importantly, the end result of these investigations must unearth the masterminds behind the controversy and immediately bring them to book. 

These expectations must be satisfied if the caretaker board does not want its latest move to be misconstrued as an attempt to divert public attention from the controversy that was witnessed a few days ago. Furthermore, all the energy, resources and efforts of the government to mobilize public support for the health care scheme will go down the drain if the caretaker board fails to successfully restore public confidence on the scheme. 

Secondly, the NHIF caretaker board should consider addressing the issues raised by opponents of the scheme. For example, is it true that appointments to senior management positions of NHIF depend on how well a person is politically connected rather than on merit? If the former is the case, then therein lies the root cause of the problem. The caretaker board, therefore, should subject all employees of NHIF to a vetting process in light of this concern. This will enhance the credibility of the institution as well as boost the public confidence towards it.  

DO YOU KNOW NAIROBI? I THINK YES BUT THEN AGAIN NO

Do you know Nairobi? A rather simple question that would be met with a lot of controversy. Many would take this as offensive making bold statements like,” I have lived in Nairobi all my life,hakuna pahali sijui.” Others would mistake this as ridicule and a questioning to their intact egos. Think about it and it would come as surprise that we actually don’t know Nairobi. What we know are the places we normally frequent which fortunately happen to be in Nairobi’s vicinity. Unfortunately I was the victim and it all started when I tried to locate Utalii house.

As we all know, I mean as most of us think we know, Utalii house is somewhere on Uhuru highway right after the latter’s round about. If I have my facts right and I believe I do, it took me eight people just to locate the building and this are people who frequent the city more than three times a week. It’s even more disappointing considering that half of this people were actually police officers who are entitled with the responsibility of guiding the public on such issues. I was taking a stroll on Harambee Avenue and I asked one who very confidently led me to South B. I bet in the back of his mind he was contemplating a rise or even a promotion to inspector considering the service he was awarding the public.

My encounter surely led to immense fatigue and a lot of complaining from the stomach considering I had no money for lunch but it surely led some light on certain issues. What exactly is the obsession with being a Nairobian. It’s like a competition or an awarding venture actually getting to know the capital city. Visit people in the rural areas and all they think about are the latter. Its so cliché for crying out loud. Wouldn’t seem cooler actually claiming to know Marsabit inside out. Furthermore it’s different and most of us consider ourselves that.

I remember the first day I joined campus, my cousin who happens to come from “shagz” introduced me to the IT specialist in my soon to become faculty. Suprisingly the first thing she mentioned was about knowing Nairobi. She went ahead and recommended that my cousin embark on a duty to enlighten me on the city’s environs. I’m pretty sure she would have continued if it wasn’t for my cousin who actually mentioned that I was actually a “Town boy.” I always thought it was written all over my face but that’s a story for another day.

On the other hand, you can choose to ignore my sentiments but at the expense of really getting to know the city. It’s a great disappointment having to mince your words while breaking quite some sweat when the ministry of Education location can’t seem to cross your mind. This is despite the fact that your rural neighbour inquired your services so that he can actually acquire his pay slip and take his eagerly awaited salary home.