Lagdera MP Abdikadir Hussein speaking in Balambala subcounty.
Lagdera MP Abdikadir Hussein with other leaders in Balambala subcounty.
Health CS Aden Duale speaking in Balambala subcounty.Lagdera MP Abdikadir Hussein has raised concern over continued illegal charges at public health facilities in Garissa, despite a government directive that outpatient services be offered free of charge.
Speaking on Sunday in Balambala town, Hussein said residents were still being forced to pay for treatment in dispensaries, health centres and Level 4 hospitals.
He was addressing the issue during the closure of a three-day free medical and surgical camp at Balambala Primary School, an event presided over by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and organised by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the county government and other stakeholders.
“Health CS, I want to bring to your attention that this directive is not being adhered to. Our people are still being charged in these facilities when they walk in seeking treatment. This is not right at all,” Hussein said.
He urged CS Duale to intervene and ensure the county government complies with the President’s order.
“My plea is that as the CS for Health, kindly push the governor to respect the law and the government’s directive. Otherwise, our people will continue suffering while the government thinks everything is okay on the ground,” he added.
His remarks came just days after President William Ruto warned public health facilities against defying the directive.
Speaking at the State House during a meeting with leaders from Tharaka Nithi County last week, the president insisted that outpatient services are fully funded by the government and must be offered to Kenyans at no cost.
Beyond the charges, Hussein also highlighted another hurdle facing the delivery of healthcare in the region—poor mobile network connectivity.
He warned that the rollout of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which depends heavily on digital verification, risks failing in remote areas where connectivity is weak.
“I wish to express deep concern over the persistent lack of reliable mobile network coverage across vast parts of our county. In my county, it is worse. This issue, while longstanding, has now taken on a new urgency with the rollout of SHIF,” he said.
The legislator explained that patients are increasingly being turned away or delayed in accessing services because facilities cannot authenticate their details in real-time.
“This has led to unnecessary delays, denial of services, and increased suffering — particularly for the elderly, expectant mothers, and patients in critical condition,” he added.
Hussein warned that unless the issue is urgently addressed, the very goal of achieving universal healthcare under SHIF will be undermined in marginalised areas.
He called on the Ministry of ICT, the Communications Authority of Kenya, and other stakeholders to urgently deploy more mobile network boosters.
“It is unacceptable that in 2025, parts of this country still remain digitally excluded, compromising such a vital right as healthcare.” Hussein said.
