Medical Scheme Brings Hope To The Elderly In Kilifi
In Kilifi, the sad tales of elderly missing out on crucial healthcare is giving this adage a big setback.
Most of the elderly in Kilifi have to endure suffering because they can’t afford money for medicine and other medical intervention.
Most of them have been suffering from different diseases like diabetes, cough and sore throats, stomach disorders, arthritis among other diseases.
When this happens then the only remembrance in their sunset years are tears of pain and suffering.
But while this happened, in 2016, a doctor in Kilifi saw their plight and embarked on a mission to help them get medical services.
Seven years later Dr Mohamed Mahfoodh, the CEO of Khairat Medical Centre says the Khairat Elderly Medical Scheme (KEMSE) has assisted 150 elders and the number continues to rise.
One of the early beneficiaries of this program is 74 years old Francis Kahindi from Vitengeni in Ganze Sub county.
For five years he battled prostate and hernia at the same time.
That illness derailed his health and with the sorry state of life in the rural village combined with poverty, he was down.
“One day, I came to Khairat Medical Centre and met Dr Mahfoodh. When I narrated my case and produced my medical history, he was shocked and immediately enrolled me in KEMSE. They had to carry out a surgery to end my problem. I was well treated and received medication free of charge. I am happy now I am healed and often come for check ups,” he said.
Mzee Kahindi was among speakers during the official launch of the scheme in an event that was presided over by Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Chibule and Kilifi Woman Representative Getrude Mbeyu.
The same sentiments were shared by Ms Aisha Said who had been battling pressure and diabetes, a situation that affected her life for many years. She was also enrolled in the program and now her health has improved but still frequents the hospital for check ups.
“I had a long problem with obesity, heart disease and pressure but through the scheme, I am getting these medical services free here because I was enrolled in the program,” she said.
According to Mzee Said Ali Shaush from Mnarani, she battled many diseases that are connected to age like arthritis but got healed through the program.
” I want to thank Khairat for this scheme because the moment I was enrolled, I started to receive free healthcare and now I am well,” he said.
When elders converged at the medical center, it was a tale of hope stories after the dark days of suffering.
The more than 100 elders drawn from all the seven sub counties of Kilifi County and who are part of the Khairat Elderly Medical Scheme(KEMSE) converged at the facility for the official launch of the program, seven years after it was started.
Khairat Medical Centre CEO Dr Mohamed Mahfoodh said that the scheme was started in 2016 after he discovered that many elders were not getting basic medical services and were suffering in silence in their homes and villages.
“We started this scheme with 50 elders but the message spread fast and we are now serving 150 elders with a waiting list of 646 elders awaiting to be enrolled in the program,” he said during his address.
Dr Mahfoodh further said that with the increase in demand and cost of medicine and services, they are using between Sh200,000 and Sh300,000 to run the program.
“This program entails giving free medical services and also performing surgeries in some cases. That has weighed heavily on our finances but we would be ready to continue with this vision because of its importance,” he said.
Khairat operation officer Abubakar Mahmoud called for more partnership between the facility, the county and the national government.
“It has been our desire to make sure that many elders access free medical services due to the situation in their homes and villages. But due to constraints, we have a long list of about 646 elders yet to be enrolled in the system. We therefore would urge for both the county and the national government to partner with us so that we make this a success program. Through public private partnership (PPP) we shall reach a big number of our intended targets,” he said.
Ms Chibule thanked the organization for the support to the elderly and promised to partner with the health facility in assisting the elderly in the county.
” I want to thank Khairat for these efforts. You have done a great deal for our elders and we shall partner with you as you support them,” she said.
Ms Chibule said that following the reports that some of the elderly under the scheme don’t have NHIF cards she announced that they will be counted among the 8,300 households the county is planning to have them registered for the National Hospital Insurance Fund(NHIF).
“We have allocated Sh50 million towards registration of 8,300 households to NHIF,adding to the 17,000 households that are being registered by the national government. Because some of the elders here don’t have that card, then rest assured, they will be roped into our numbers so that they can get the card to ease your services to them,” she added.
Ms Mbeyu asked the national government to increase the allocations of the Jamii cash transfer program, adding that the current allocation of Sh2,000 per person was too little.
“We have already started the push in parliament to have the elderly cash increased to about Sh5,000. The current amount being given out is too little to cater for their basic needs,” she said.
About The Author
