Kisii County will soon begin providing health subsidies to the aged and vulnerable groups following the passage of the National Health Insurance Fund Support bill,2015, now awaiting the Governors assent.

Once enacted the aged and the poor across the 45 wards will be placed under a social protection program.

The County Government allocated shs45million this financial year to enable its implementation. The provision of affordable health care is in line with the Governors pledge to the electorate of enhancing accessibility to quality health care. Once enacted, each Ward will institute a Ward Social Protection Committee of seven.

The chairperson who shall be elected by committee members will assume office on appointment by the Chief Executive Committee Culture and Social services. Members will include two representatives of the public, the ward administrator who will also serve as secretary, one person representing persons with disability, one representing the youth, another from women groups.

The area Member of the County Assembly will serve as the patron of the fund at the ward level.The County Government will rely on the existing administrative structures of the National Health Insurance Fund to administer subsidies.

The County Government will subsidize by 50 percent or any other proportion of the monthly subscription payable by vulnerable households. Anyone who falsifies information to qualify will be liable and risks a fine or a jail sentence. The NHIF Support bill 2015 was passed this week with amendments