MOMBASA, 7th February - President Uhuru Kenyatta has today launched the national roll-out of Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) across the 47 counties. 

Speaking at Port Reitz Hospital in Changamwe, President Kenyatta stated that the passage of the NHIF (Amendment) Act was a milestone in Health Insurance. 

"To further the realisation of UHC goals, the NHIF (Amendment) Act was passed by Parliament and today I want to convey through you - Honourable Speaker Lusaka and the two Honourable Chairs of the Health Committees of the National Assembly and Senate - our thanks to members of both Houses for your collaboration," the President said. 

He added that his Government had set a solid foundation for achievement of UHC as one of the Big Four agenda. 

"My administration has set the unshakeable foundation for achieving our goal of 100 per cent health insurance coverage and as a result access to quality and affordable healthcare," President Kenyatta stated. 

"Never again should a Kenyan suffer or be driven to poverty because of medical bills." 

The pilot UHC programme was conducted in four counties – Isiolo, Kisumu, Machakos, and Nyeri. They were selected because they are characterized by high incidence of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, maternal mortality, and road traffic injuries. 

Others present included- Health CS, Sen Mutahi Kagwe; CS, Water & Sanitation, Sicily Kariuki; Education CS, George Magoha; Chair, Senate Committee on Health, Sen Michael Mbito; Chair, CoG, Martin Wambora; Mombasa Governor, Hassan Joho and COTU Secretary-General, Francis Atwoli, among others.