Rice Farmers Inclusion in Marwa
From kisumu.go.ke
magine the impact of the community of rice farmers with group health insurance cover. Imagine protection from potential financial catastrophe arising from the use of health services amongst rice farmers. Also, imagine growing the economy of rice farmers constantly. These realities are what Marwa Kisumu Solidarity Health Cover seeks to avail, not only to rice farmers but to all organized groups within Kisumu County.
Currently Marwa is targeting the over 4000 rice farmers within Kisumu County, with an aim of ensuring that are covered as a group. By enrolling into Marwa, rice farmers will have the value that comes with a Marwa Model Facility (MMF) within Nyando Sub County, the proposed facility being Hongo Ogosa. Speaking to leaders from the different rice irrigation schemes, the CEO of JOOTRH Dr. George Rae underscored the fact that Marwa Model facility will avail the farmers with all the services they will need and an additional two free medical checkups annually.
“The checkup will include, bilharzia test as its common amongst rice farmers, we will seek to test the hidden bilharzia because it eventually leads to blood cancer and treat it” Dr Rae said.
Dr Khizra Syed, head of Marwa, said that the Marwa Model facility will also have good customer care, shorter waiting durations and data will be managed digitally. The Rice farmers will also receive services from all Marwa facilities in Nyando including the primary facilities from Rabuor Sub county hospital, Nyangande Sub county hospital, Oren Health center, Kinasia dispensary and Kadinda dispensary.
In case of referral the Marwa members will receive services from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral hospital (JOOTRH), Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCH) and Ahero sub- County Hospital. Elija Oyola Kisumu County Health Promotion officer took the farmers through the reason why Marwa is the best choice for them pointing out that it covers the entire house hold, and it’s nondiscriminatory as it has no age limit and no testing for no pre-existing conditions before enrolment is required.
“Services under Marwa are easy to access and are available in all the seven sub counties in Kisumu, there is no waiting period and there is a free toll number 0800720575 operating 24 hours that one can call for help.” Mr Oyola added.
Apart from receiving free test, the farmers will also reap the benefits of telemedicine and Lab sample networking, saving them exorbitant travel costs.
The rice group members will pay a monthly premium of Ksh 500, however they can opt to submit premiums annually, bi annually or quarterly to benefit joy services under the scheme.
Marwa is a social health insurance cover for the residents of Kisumu. In its second phase it targets focused group including fisher folk, sugarcane farmers, bodaboda riders among other groups.
Under the scheme, members will have benefits including in patient services, maternity package, Renal dialysis, kidney transplant, rehabilitation package for drugs and substance abuse, dental health extraction, oncology chemotherapy and radiotherapy, radiology MRI, city scan, surgical package, road ambulatory services and out-patient cover.
