In 2018, the government of Kenya launched a Universal Health Coverage Scheme. The latter will allow those with financial difficulties access to quality healthcare services. Following a four-year survey on four counties in the country, the government decided to include Linda Mama health insurance as part of its coverage. The insurance services came when maternal mortality rates were surging, more so in slums and rural areas.
It is relatively easy to access Linda Mama. All Public hospitals and some charity and faith-based Organizations distribute the cover. One can also access it virtually by registering on their phone through a shortcode of *263#.
How Have Linda Mama Benefitted Communities?
Maternal services are one of the most sought assistance in the country. Therefore, Linda Mama has been of help to many. Dr. Thomas Ogaro, the head of UHC Secretariat Nairobi Metropolitan Service, stated that the cover is a way to reduce maternal mortality. Linda Mama was an idea by President Kenya to ensure women deliver without difficulties. Dr. Ogaro says that since the onset of the service, maternal and infant mortality has declined. Also, they are working on ensuring vulnerable populations also get access to the cover.
“But now what we are rolling out is the registration of poor and vulnerable population who are unable to access so that we can give them insurance subsidy. And this insurance subsidy will be through our National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF),” explains Dr. Ogaro.
In 2020, the government merged the Universal Health Insurance Coverage with NHIF. The latter minimally goes at five hundred dollars a month. As of now, Linda Mama is the only free health insurance card. Therefore, the women who cannot afford NHIF can access Linda Mama Freely. Nevertheless, it expires three months after delivery.
How Are People Reacting to the Cover
The outcome regarding the cover has been excellent. Many, more so from slums, have started benefitting from it. Maureen Adhiambo is a happy mum from Mareba Slum in Mombasa. She says that with Linda Mama, she managed to deliver successfully at Pumwani Maternity Hospital. She says her experience was good, and she paid no extra charges.
Felista Mbithe from Lunga Slum also stated that she would not have afforded her hospital bill if it were not for Linda Mama. Felista says that she came to know of Linda Mama from someone when she needed maternal services. Since her husband cannot afford the NHIF and does not have money, the card came in handy.
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Any Challenges with Linda Mama?
Although 90% of the women benefit from Linda Mama, some people are having difficulty accessing it. More so, teenage girls who get pregnant at a tender age. These young girls have complained of not getting the card because they do not have national identity cards.
Also, some women, mostly in rural areas, are ignorant. They do not trust hospital services and don’t have an awareness of the Linda Mama Coverage. Instead, they prefer midwifery services. The culture of not going to clinics for delivery has endangered most infants. Moreover, since Linda Mama only cover pregnancy-related issues, other health-related conditions or accidents require money.
