KABALORE – Kabarole District Elders’ Council has over the weekend, petitioned Speaker Rebecca Kadaga over the national health insurance scheme.
In their petition, they said that the national health insurance scheme, which is to be legislated upon by Parliament, should take into account the concerns of the elderly. They asked to be exempted from making periodic payments to enroll for the scheme.
Amos Manyira, the group Chairperson told the speaker that they are very poor and cannot afford to make the contributions and therefore need to be given affirmative action in that regard.
Following this, Kadaga instructed Parliament’s Committee on Health to process and present for consideration the proposed Bill on national medical insurance.
“Fifteen years ago we asked the government to present this legislation, to no avail, prompting the current decision,” said the speaker.
The speaker who was hosted by Kabarole Woman MP Sylvia Rwabwogo and Fort Portal Municipality MP Alex Ruhundo, among other leaders, launched a Sacco run by the elders’ association and contributed Shs5 million.
“I’ve asked the Committee on Budget to consider the possibility of including a special revolving fund from which the senior citizens can borrow, following their complaint that microfinance institutions shy away from lending them on account of their advanced age,” she revealed in a statement.
On the same note, Kadaga has instructed Parliament’s Committee on Health to process and present for consideration during this current session, a Bill on national medical insurance.
Government, said Kadaga, has been asked by Parliament to present such legislation, for now, fifteen years, to no avail, prompting the current decision.
Ms. Kadaga criticized the government for the delayed presentation of electoral reforms, which she said could factor in concerns by the elders that they should have special representation in Parliament.
Ms. Kadaga promised to ask the Committee on Budget to consider the possibility of including a special revolving fund to from which the senior citizens can borrow, following their complaint that microfinance institutions shy away from lending them on account of their advanced age.