The entrance of NHIF building. NHIF has added 204 hospitals its list. [Photo: NMG]The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) has added 204 public, private and faith-based hospitals and dispensaries to its list of accredited facilities.This gives patients from all over Kenya more places to access healthcare amidst prolonged nationwide nurses’ strike that has seen more than 50 percent of public health facilities in total shut down since June. If the strike comes to an end, the Nation reports,  it means that the over 6.5 million NHIF members would have more places to access both inpatient and outpatient services."The newly added facilities met the requirements for accreditation and NHIF is set to sign contracts with them so that they start offering services," NHIF CEO Geoffrey Mwangi said on Tuesday as quoted by the Nation.He added: "We are geared towards providing more services and the more the hospitals the more the access to quality healthcare."At least nine sub-county hospitals have been NHIF-accredited to offer both inpatient and outpatient services.Some of the country’s top hospitals such as Aga Khan Hospital Kitengela, Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital Nairobi West Clinic, Getrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital Nyali Medical Clinic and the Texas Cancer Centre Eldoret are among those listed for outpatient and inpatient services, adds the Nation.Out of the new total, 18 facilities will cover eye, radiology, dental and laboratory services.

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