Policy & Regulations
On the other hand , for those with NHIF cards , KNH says that the national insurer would pay up to Sh3,600 per session .
Acknowledging that the service fees had gone up , the hospital ’ s chief executive officer , Lily Koros said that the new tariffs are well within what the hospital charges .
“ We have different tariffs for different categories of patients . And since Monday we reviewed them to be in line with the NHIF scheme ,” she explained , adding that those without the cover will alsohave to part with some extra money — a decision that has not settled well with the patients .
In its new benefits released earlier in the year NHIF , stated that it would pay Sh18,000 per session for patients accessing radiotherapy , while footing up to Sh5,000 for clinical reviews monthly .
But before paying for these services , a patient must submit a pre-authorization form to NHIF for approval .
It also introduced a new category of specialised radiological and diagnostic services benefits which it would offset bills up to Sh25,000 per session for cancer patients in any accredited hospital .
“ For patients without the cover , we are not forcing them to pay the Sh3,600 . They are also being informed about these new tariffs as they come to hospital ,” she added .
The hospital said that the fee charged for a session of radiotherapy is highly subsidised from Sh4,000 .
“ These fees are usually graduated depending on the category of patient being treated ,” said a source at the hospital .
But another source said that the revision of the tariff was inspired by the economic strain being felt across the country .
“ You know if the economy is strained , the cost of goods and services is also affected ,” said the source .
In spite of KNH ’ s revision of its cancer treatment charges being viewed as high , it is still a far cry from what patients
pay in private health facilities which charge between Sh5,000 and Sh10,000 per session .
Cancer treatment at the country ’ s referral hospital has not been a smooth ride . With perennial breakdown of the radiotherapy machines ( thrice in a row ), scores of patients who can barely afford treatment have had to be content with long waits and queues as the machines get repaired .
Despite sources at the hospital arguing that the revision of the charges was necessary to help the hospital cater for the patients , many view it as a hindrance to many patients ’ treatment , impacting access especially for those who have not enrolled for the NHIF scheme .
Patients from within and outside the country often flock the hospital in search of cancer treatment as the institution is perceived to offer the most affordable services . However , the influx of patients has seen the only two radiotherapy machines service over 500 patients a day breakdown time without number , forcing the government to buy a new Linear
Technician operating a Radiotherapy machine at Kenyatta National Hospital
Accelerator machine .
In addition , the Indian government donated a Sh300 million machine which is expected to treat 40 to 50 patients daily , increasing the number of patients being served by the hospital , as the government puts up more cancer centres across the country to ease the congestion at KNH .
The cancer centres are proposed to be set up in Mombasa , Nyeri , Eldoret and Kisumu at a cost of Sh1 billion each .
Although these have been seen as strides towards the right direction in the battle cancer , a condition which affects more than 40,000 people and kills another 27,000 annually , patients may have to wait another two to three years for the treatment centres they were promised .
Health Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri , during the health summit held at State House said that despite the government investing Sh21 billion in cancer diagnostic equipment as part of an ambitious Sh38 billion programme , the centres may only start serving patients as early as 2019 .
Photo : thestar . co . ke
November-December 2016 31