It now emerges that the County Government of Kisumu has proposed new charges for medical care in the county health facilities.
The proposed charges under the flagship of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) could see patients forced to pay more than is required should the proposed county Finance Bill 2018 go through.
Contrary to the National government's free maternity care policy, the government is seeking to introduce a Sh5, 000 fee for normal deliveries and Sh7, 000 for caesarian section.
This is despite the county being among the four enjoying the national government's Sh44.6 billion affordable healthcare piloting program, where Kenyans are expected to fully rely on their National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) insurance for only Sh500 a month.
In protest, county residents through the Kisumu County Residents Voice have since rejected the proposed charges, terming them illegal and unconstitutional.
"We are really disappointed by the county government for taxing its residents who should be having access to free healthcare. Maternity should be free of charge, and other absurd charges dropped. The county should put the life of its citizens first,” their Chair Audi Ogada told the Standard Sunday.
But responding to the outcries, County Assembly Health Committee Vice Chair Seth Okumu noted that the residents do not have to worry, as the charges will be footed by the insurer once they sigh up with NHIF.
“Our dear citizens, what I can tell all of you is that nothing is free, and if it is free, someone is paying for it. So I urge all of you to register with NHIF and Linda Mama so that medical costs and delivery charges will be catered for,” he was quoted.
Fees for male circumcision now stand at Sh1, 500, with patients at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) supposed to pay Sh2, 000 a day and another Sh600 per hour for oxygen.