Lagdera MP demands action as health facilities defy Ruto’s free outpatient care directive
Abdikadir's remarks come after President William Ruto issued a stern warning to public health centres still demanding payment for outpatient care, stressing that these services are fully government-funded and must be offered at no cost to the public.
Lagdera Member of Parliament Abdikadir Hussein has raised serious concerns over the continued charging of patients for outpatient services in public health facilities across Garissa County, despite a government directive that such treatments be provided free of charge.
Speaking in Garissa, Abdikadir described the practice as unfair to citizens already struggling with economic hardships.
More To Read
- Garissa residents set to benefit as Balambala Hospital goes digital
- Three charged in Nairobi for posing as SHA officials to defraud patient’s family
- Nairobi Hospital suspends fee hike after insurance pushback
- Counties urged to ditch costly overseas benchmarking tours amid fiscal constraints
- Private hospitals give Duale two weeks to settle NHIF arrears
- Kenya’s primary healthcare crisis: Patients struggle despite ‘free’ treatment, SHA registration
His remarks come after President William Ruto issued a stern warning to public health centres still demanding payment for outpatient care, stressing that these services are fully government-funded and must be offered at no cost to the public.
Despite this, Abdikadir noted that many health facilities in Garissa County continue to disregard the directive.
He urged Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to push the county government to comply with the law and enforce the policy, warning that failure to act would leave residents suffering while authorities “assume all is well.”
The MP also highlighted the urgent need to improve network connectivity in north eastern Kenya to ensure smooth access to healthcare services under the Social Health Insurance Programme.
He explained that poor connectivity in remote areas is hindering the rollout of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), making it difficult for residents to access essential health services.
Abdikadir appealed to the government—particularly the Ministry of ICT and the Communications Authority of Kenya—to install more mobile network boosters across the county.
He emphasised that without reliable connectivity, universal healthcare coverage through SHIF will remain out of reach for marginalised communities.
"Everything is going digital, and we are severely disadvantaged due to poor network connectivity," he said.
Top Stories Today
Reader Comments
Trending
