Over 22 million Kenyans screened for diabetes - PS Muthoni

She says out of those visited and checked by the health promoters, over 300,000 of them have been referred to clinics

The PS said the government was keen on preventive health programmes and Kenyans should ensure they are checked and screened by medical experts to enjoy good health.

“We want to ensure that Kenyans are healthy always because our health is our wealth and our wealth is of our country,” said Muthoni

She was speaking during the Chepsaita Free Medical Camp which is taking place at Chepsaita in Uasin Gishu ahead of the Great Chepsaita Cross country race scheduled for Saturday, December 7.

The camp is sponsored by Safaricom and President William Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet who is the patron of the Chepsaita race.

The medical camp has attracted over 5,000 residents seeking medical checkups.

Several other institutions are also sponsoring camps where over 200 medics have been mobilized to treat residents.

PS Muthoni urged Kenyans to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) which various enhanced health benefits for Kenyans.

She said the lack of proper information had caused many Kenyans not to understand the shift from NHIF to SHA.

“As a government, we are now going out to the field to explain to Kenyans all the details about SHA so that we can move forward as a country with better healthcare for all,” said Muthoni.

She explained that all programmes under the defunct NHIF would remain under SHA but enhanced to offer better services.

“At the end of the day we want all Kenyans to access quality health services at all our public hospitals”, said the Ps.

She said the country’s health system would be revamped to ensure all Kenyans enjoy easy access to quality health services.

The PS Edu Care health care for school children has been improved under SHA to ensure all children have better medical coverage.

Muthoni also noted that the Linda Mama programme remained in place to cater  for pregnant mothers, especially as concerns prenatal care

“Our mothers should not be worried at all.  They along with their newborns will enjoy enhanced care under the Linda Mama programme,” she said.

Farouk thanked the sponsors and promised to expand the medical camp from next year.

He said from the turnout, it was clear that Kenyans were in need of quality medical services.

He called on Kenyans to turn out and register with SHA.

He called for more support for medical programmes and told off those leaders used to criticize the government plans, especially SHA.

“Let’s not politicize medical issues because we are all affected in one way or the other,” said Kibet.

Present also was Nandi Woman Rep Cynthia Muge who also urged Kenyans to enroll with SHA and support the government.