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.