Public hospitals in Isiolo County have recorded a rise in the number of patients seeking medical services.
This is after the government launched the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) which will benefit county residents.
President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the UHC program in December 2018, and will run in Isiolo, Kisumu, Nyeri and Machakos counties.
Isiolo County medical services chief officer Ibrahim Alio said the program has attracted patients from neighboring Garissa, Marsabit, Wajir, Meru and Samburu counties.
According to Mr Alio, they are currently offering free services to any patient who seeks services at their facility.
He said this is because there is a delay in disbursement of UHC cards to Isiolo residents who have registered adding that for one to seek free health services, they are required to present their card at the health facilities.
He added that the launch of the programme will save most of the residents in the region who have been suffering due to poverty.
“Some patients were forced to keep off hospitals due to poverty. As at now, we have decided to offer free services to any patient that walks into any of our health facilities because there is a delay in disbursement of UHC cards,” Mr Alio said.
Some of the services that will be offered for free include emergency services, child health services, maternal, and mental health services.
The patients will also benefit from other free services such as infectious disease management, noncommunicable diseases management, inpatient and outpatient and community health services.
The free services will, however, be available to registered residents of the pilot counties while those without covers will be charged for the services.
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