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
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