Between 2013 and the end of 2016, slightly above 2.3 million women had benefited from the government’s Free Maternity Programme, at a cost of nearly Sh12 billion. In addition, user fees, usually paid as registration card charges by patients visiting county health facilities, were scrapped. Counties, for instance, were not all enthusiastic about the free maternity programme, arguing that the ministry was not reimbursing them for the costs of running it. As the tussle continued, great uncertainty over procurement of medical supplies and technologies within the national healthcare system plagued discussions. Meanwhile, patients suffered, with most being forced to buy medicines and medical supplies outside health facilities at hefty prices.

Source: Daily Nation February 13, 2017 22:27 UTC