In Kiambu County, over 50 women are filled with joy after the county government paid off a hospital debt of more than Ksh 6 million owed to Thika Level 5 Hospital.
This payment was made possible through a program called Wamatangi Care, initiated by Governor Kimani Wamatangi. Thanks to this help, the women were able to leave the hospital and reunite with their families.
The women included mothers who could not pay their hospital bills, underage girls, and foreign women from Burundi who were unable to register for the Social Health Authority (SHA), also known as Taifa Care. Because of these issues, many of them had been stuck in the hospital for several months.
One woman, Josphene Mbeneke, shared her feelings, saying, “The services here are good. If it weren’t for my lack of money to clear the bill, this is one facility that has the best service delivery.” Josphene’s words show the relief and gratitude felt by many who finally got to leave the hospital.
During a press event on January 8, 2025, Dr. Elias Maina, who is the County Executive Member for Health Services, spoke to the women as they were released.
He encouraged them to register for SHA to prevent similar situations in the future. He explained that signing up for SHA does not require a lot of money and offers special medical services.
Dr. Maina urged everyone to register, saying, “You can never prepare enough for illness, nor know when you might fall sick.” His message emphasized the importance of being ready for any health issues that could arise.
The county government also announced plans to help more people who cannot register for SHA. Through the Wamatangi Care program, the county will pay for those who need assistance, ensuring they do not miss out on medical services.
“The governor knows that some of you want to register for Taifa Care but cannot. That’s why we have Wamatangi Care. With this program, the governor will pay for SHA on your behalf. We will continue to register more people to make sure everyone gets access to medical services,” Dr. Maina added.
By Newshub