Nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura. [PHOTO/the-star.co.ke]
Nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura has asked the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to insure premature babies.
Noting that most companies are non-committal about the hospital bills of premature babies, Mwaura recounted his his story after he lost two children born prematurely.
He lamented over the heavy costs parents have to incur to help the young ones survive, costs that are not afforded by most parent leading to deaths.
"The issue of heavy costs needs to be addressed since most insurance firms are not helping. The cost of the specialised care is a major challenge in Kenya."
He was speaking at Pumwani Maternity Hospital on Friday when the World observed the Prematurity Day.
In Kenya, one in every eight children is born prematurely and most of them die before attaining the age of five.
Still, majority of those who survive suffer long-term health problems and disabilities.