The Establishment of National Hospital Insurance Fund and Its Performance, 1966-1972

Joyce Chepkwony

this article examines the Establishment of National Hospital Insurance Fund and its Performance in Kenya in the period between 1966 and 1972. An elaboration of factors which facilitated its establishment, management, administration and amendments to the entity are undertaken to assess its significance in this period. Literature review was through an assessment of various sources relevant in the establishment of NHIF as a non-racial scheme, the NHIF Board of Management, Administration and Amendments, which were important in evaluating the Performance of NHIF during the period of examination. This assessment provides the dynamics which impacted on NHIF service delivery in the period, 1966-1972. The study utilised the Political Economy perspective to analyse the establishment of the NHIF and the factors which impacted on the performance of the healthcare service provider from 1966 to 1972. The historical method guided the study to discover from records and other accounts the underlying factors that impacted on the performance of the NHIF in the period of examination. The study found out that the NHIF was established as part of the Kenya government development agenda to enhance the welfare of its citizens and therefore, achieve socio-economic progress. The study also established that there was the formation of a Board of Management for the NHIF, which was tasked with administration and implementation of significant amendments to the healthcare service provider. Further, the study found out that government policies in this period were shaped by the global events and subsequently, the financing capacities in the socio-economic sectors. The study also established that there were numerous amendments on the NHIF Act, which shaped the modes of service delivery in this period. This article concludes that the dynamics experienced by the NHIF in this period were relevant in enhancing service delivery for the citizens in the subsequent decades.

https://doi.org/10.31871/WJRR.10.6.6