HIV/AIDS covered by new health scheme

People living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya could soon benefit from the country's new National Social Health Insurance Fund (NSHIF), the ministry of health announced. Health Minister Charity Ngilu said the scheme was in line with the recently proposed social health insurance reforms, which were expected to come into effect from July 2004, and would ensure access to quality health care for all Kenyans. Ngilu said while most patients at Kenyan hospitals suffered from AIDS-related infections, many lacked insurance cover. Local newspaper, the East African Standard, quoted Ngilu as saying: "Fifty percent of all our hospital beds are occupied by patients with HIV/AIDS-related cases." The minister confirmed that NSHIF would replace the current National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), and participation would be compulsory for all permanent residents in the country.