Machakos County governor Wavinya Ndeti now says her administration is working out on modalities to ensure that persons with severe disabilities and from vulnerable families have health insurance coverage through the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
“Depending on the numbers of the PWDs in the county, we can either pay for NHIF in full for those in dire need while the rest, the county government can pay half of the amount required,” she said.
Speaking on Monday at the Machakos Youth Centre during the issuance of new generation disability cards and assistive devices, the governor also waived fees for medical assessment for PWDs in all health facilities.
Wavinya observed that the majority of the PWDs were from poor households and could not afford to foot the bills for medical assessment. “Most of them are struggling and cannot even fend for themselves. Why should they pay for the medical assessment fee? “she asked.
To plan for the county, the governor disclosed that the county government would start collecting data on the number of PWDs across the county.
She further called upon parents not to hide children with disabilities but instead take them to school to be self-reliant in the future.
“Do not hide such children. My government will create an enabling environment to ensure such children thrive. We will offer bursaries and any assistance that is required,” added governor Wavinya.
At the same event, Executive Director of the National Council for People with Disabilities (NCPWD) Harun Hassan said the council had partnered with the county government for the registration of PWDs.
Hassan noted that registration for PWDs had been a big problem but disclosed that the council in collaboration with relevant stakeholders had eased the process by decentralizing it to the county level.
“We have managed to bring the signature for the Director of Medical Services to the county level across the country and registration will therefore be done at level three and four hospitals,” he said.
More than 200 new cards and assistive devices including wheel chairs, crutches and hearing aids were issued to PWDs during the event.