Brian Otieno, a delivery driver on the Kisumu-Nairobi route, has narrated a life-changing experience when he was involved in a road accident.
In a media interview, Brian narrates how another vehicle hit his car, leaving his leg broken. The accident, he said, happened on a rainy night. Otieno says he was stuck inside the vehicle and could not immediately find anyone nearby to help him.
He tried using his phone to call for assistance, but his calls initially went unanswered. Fortunately, passers-by later arrived at the scene and helped him out of the vehicle.
One of the people who came to his rescue took his phone and helped him contact his sister. Otieno then informed her that he had been involved in an accident while traveling from Kisumu to Nairobi.
“It was dark and raining. There was no one nearby. I called them, but they were not answering. Luckily, they were passing by. One of them came and helped me. He took my phone, and I called my sister.”
How Brian Otieno Remained Stranded Without Insurance
When asked whether he had money or insurance to cover his treatment, he told them that he had no insurance and did not have enough money.
He was then advised to register under the Social Health Authority, the state-run health insurance service. Luckily for him, he was registered and made the required payment before being admitted to hospital.
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Afterward, he spent several days in hospital receiving treatment before he was discharged and returned home.
“After I paid for the insurance, I was hospitalized. I slept for a few days. After I was discharged, I went home. I took medicine. After some days, I returned to my job,” he recalled.
After leaving the hospital, Otieno continued taking his medication at home as he recovered from his injuries.
Several days later, he returned to his delivery driving job. He says access to treatment through SHA helped him during a period when he had no insurance and limited financial resources.
Brian Otieno now describes SHA as a game changer and says he plans to encourage other people, particularly drivers, to register because emergencies can happen without warning.
Luo Nyanza Healthcare Transforms as SHA Expands Access to Treatment
Healthcare across Luo Nyanza is transforming, with SHA at the center of expanding access to affordable healthcare.
Millions of Kenyans have enrolled in SHA and are now accessing services when they need them, without lengthy onboarding periods. Coverage for chronic illnesses and other conditions requiring continuous and costly treatment has also expanded, helping ease the financial burden on families.
Also Read: Why the 2% Digital Health Fee Is Charged Under SHA and Where the Money Goes
Gloria, a resident of Kisumu, says SHA has made treatment easier because people can now go to the hospital, get checked, be tested, and receive treatment without being forced to pay the full bill from their own pockets. She gives the example of her sister’s child, who was sick but was treated and recovered, with SHA covering most of the hospital bill.
“For example, previously we lived with the fear that if someone became sick, we might not be able to afford the cost of treatment. Now, when a problem arises, for example, when my sister’s child became ill, they were able to go to the hospital, receive treatment, be examined and undergo the necessary tests. Secondly, it helps people avoid serious complications without having to spend a lot of money. It makes healthcare more accessible because people can now go to the hospital and get checked before an illness becomes severe,” she explained.
Gloria says if SHA continues paying for people’s treatment, more families will seek care early before illnesses become worse, and the future will be better because health risks, medical bills, crises, and deaths will be reduced. Before SHA, some patients were directed to buy medicine on their own, yet some families could not afford it, making treatment difficult.
Alongside this, the elevation of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital to Level 6 is strengthening specialized healthcare and bringing advanced services closer to the people.
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