Narok: Departmental heads in Narok County should be in the front line to sensitize their clients on the Social Health Authority (SHA) to boost the number of registered members, as the county is lagging behind with a registration of 11 per cent.
According to Kenya News Agency, Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia called on the departmental heads to ensure every person they serve in their respective offices is well conversant with SHA, and that they are registered. He spoke in a County Service Delivery meeting held at the commissioner's boardroom, where he warned that some propaganda on social media could discourage members of the public from registering with SHA.
'We need to educate the members of the public that SHA was a good option so that they can register to get free medical services. Most of the residents could not be aware of what the new scheme is all about,' he said. Lotiatia took issue with civil servants who serve their clients in a reluctant manner, saying all members of the public deserve to be served in a decent manner despite their backgrounds.
'You have to create a good image of the government in the offices you represent. Your clients who come seeking government services in your offices should be satisfied because they have a right to proper services,' he continued. He recalled in the past years when civil servants used to serve people based on their ranks or roles in the society saying this is an outdated practice as the current administration demands proper and equal services to all members of the public.
While speaking in Sogoo area, Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu called on the Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to sensitize residents on SHA and ensure all homesteads were registered on the same. Ntutu said the new health scheme was a strategy by the current administration to ensure that all members of the public have free access to medical services despite their level of income.
'We have been opening many hospitals around the county but you won't be served if you do not register with SHA,' said Ntutu.