The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Cleopa Mailu, has suspended the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) cap that limited outpatient visits to only four per year.

In a notice released earlier in the week, NHIF had introduced a list of conditions that many construed as being punitive to beneficiaries.

In the measures that were supposed to take effect form 1^st November, NHIF stated that:

• A card (NHIF) could only be used 4 times a year.
• The bills should not exceed Kshs. 1500 per visit for national scheme members and civil servants from job group A to K.

In addition, patients would be required to carry these documents.

• Copy of NHIF smartcard
• Copy of contributor’s card
• Copy of ID if the patient is a spouse
• Copy of birth certificate if the patient is a baby over 6 months
• Copy of birth notification is patient is a child below 6 months

Irate Kenyans took to social to critique the move noting that the limit was equivalent to self-funding treatment since the total amount was less or equal to what beneficiaries pay in a year (4 times a year would total to Kshs. 6,000).

Here are some reactions from Kenyans on Twitter.

Surely for all the tax we pay NHIF should be able to offer a bit more, no? 1,500/-? Politics aside we’re all a disease away from poverty.

— Larry Asego (@LarryAsego) November 3, 2017

That the CS Health can unilaterally make a decision on NHIF is as bad an accountability problem as the 4 visits/year directive.

— Dr. Ouma Oluga, OGW (@fnoluga) November 4, 2017

New NHIF policies is a middle finger to the poor as it now restricts usage to only 4 times a year, the rich can as many times. Witchcraft pic.twitter.com/Agch1ysWsD

— Kenya West (@KinyanBoy) November 4, 2017

Can NHIF be made optional? You cant force me to pay.. then start dishing out such terms and conditions… NO! Cant do

— Win 🏳️‍🌈 (@Senator_win) November 4, 2017

If NHIF insists on its retrogressive strategies, then let our legislature make it's contribution optional. I can't pay 20k and get 6k of it.

— Dr. CK Rotich (@CK_rotich) November 4, 2017

NHIF IS TURNING INTO A PYRAMID SCHEME. Blatant theft.

— DUNCAN OMODING' 🇰🇪 (@Omodingson) November 4, 2017

[irp]

Mailu’s move will come as a relief to many who are forced to rely on NHIF to cover medical costs.