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TO LIVE OR TO DIE

By Dr Paul Bundi Human beings are endowed with remarkable resilience, which can only be broken when they choose to give up. Says Viktor Frankl in his seminal book, Man's Search for Meaning; ''it is a peculiarity of man that he can only live by looking to the future-sub specie aeternitatis. And this is his salvation in thd most difficult moments of his existence, although he sometimes has to force his mind to the task.'' Man's life is primarily driven by the desire for future, the unshakable belief that the future holds promise. We invariably cease to live when we think we have hit a dead end, or that there's nothing more to be had by living. Theoretically, there is no limit to man's achievement, and that is what drives men to wake up and strive day after day. The opposite is spiritual, psychological death, which manifests way ahead of physical death. Lesson? Losing today doesn't mean losing always. You can lose 10 times and win the 11th time. Or, you

NHIF doubles patient benefits with expanded cover

The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) has doubled benefits for its contributors and added a new cover to cater for the treatment of chronic diseases.
According to the new scheme, the fund will pay Sh10,000 for kidney patients dialysis, Sh10,000 for normal delivery and Sh30,000 for cesarean operation.
The new inpatient cover for contributors seeking medical attention in government health facilities will be at Sh1,200 and Sh4,000 at private hospitals from the previous Sh600 and Sh2,100 respectively. The insurer will also pay up to Sh3,500 for patients who will be admitted in faith-based hospitals.
“The Fund will also pay Sh10,000 per session of kidney dialysis from Sh2,000 while patients undergoing a kidney transplant will get a Sh500,000 cover from the current Sh200,000,” said NHIF Chairman Mohamud Ali.
“The new maternity rates for persons undergoing a normal delivery will be Sh10,000 while a cesarean section delivery will be increased to Sh30,000 from the current rates of Sh6,000 and Sh18,000 respectively.”
The NHIF chairman said the new rates and other benefits introduced are geared towards attainment of universal health coverage.
He said the Fund has introduced a package to cater for chemotherapy at Sh25,000 per session, radiology at Sh18,000 per session and monthly clinics at Sh5,000 per month due to the increased exposure of chronic conditions in the country.
“The Fund has also introduced specialised radiological diagnostic services whereby members will access MRI at Sh15,000 per session and CT-scan at Sh8,000 per session,” he observed, adding that the rates will be gazzetted either on Friday or on Monday by the Attorney General.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technology used in detecting structural abnormalities of the body. It uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues.
NHIF Chief Executive Officer Simeon ole Kirgotty said outpatient service introduced last year will remain unchanged, with contributors only accessing the service from accredited hospitals. “We now have 1,400 facilities providing the outpatient service and expect that the hospitals that were contesting the rebate can now come on board,” he said.

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