RELIEF AT LAST: AILING MOTHER FINDS HOPE IN COUNTY HEALTH COVER

Battling cancer during a harsh economic period is a double burden that many families are struggling to bear,even worse if it takes to selling household belongings to settle hospital bills.

For Eunice Syombua from Muvau, a mother of two secondary school children, the battle has been particularly difficult. She has been fighting leukemia and receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital, where she attends medical check-ups every three weeks.

The long journey to recovery has come with weighty financial strain.

Syombua notes that although she was registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA), her cover had not been active recently.

This forced her to sell her herd of cattle to settle medical bills that now amount to hundreds of thousands of shillings.

Doctors have advised her against engaging in strenuous activities, including household chores, leaving her dependent on the support of her elderly husband.

During the cluster assessment, Syombua was selected to benefit from the universal health coverage programme. She commended Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. for what she described as a brilliant health financing initiative, saying the support will allow her to focus on recovery and caring for her children without the constant fear of mounting hospital debts.

The mass registration exercise will continue until Friday this week.