Legislators have backed a proposal for a policy to compel public officers to use public healthcare facilities. On Wednesday, members of the National Assembly supported for the Motion albeit with a caveat that funding is increased and services improved.
The proposal notes that since civil servants, public officers and State officers are accorded a comprehensive medical cover, they should use public hospitals, which would in turn ensure there was sufficient funding and increased quality of health care.
This would accelerate the attainment of Universal Health Coverage, which is currently being implemented through the Social Health Insurance Fund. "Appreciating that the use of the comprehensive medical cover by public officers and State officers in public hospitals would guarantee sufficient funding for public hospitals, this House therefore resolves that, the government through the Ministry of Health implements the Kenya Universal Healthcare Coverage Policy 2020-2030 and introduce a policy on mandatory use of public health care facilities by all civil servants, public officers and State officers in the country," reads the Motion by Nominated MP Sabina Chege.
But Health Committee Chairperson James Nyikal said there was no need for a legislation, challenging legislators to practice what they preach. "If we really meant it, we'd just say from now on, we are going to use public services as bad as they are.
