National Hospital Insurance Fund

In 1966, National Hospital Insurance Fund was established as a division of the Ministry of Health. It was established to bring development to the Healthcare system of Kenya’s population and reconstruct the healthcare system. The fund provides insurance to Kenya’s people to treat chronic illnesses. The NHIF also helps patients to seek treatment from abroad using the card.

This coverage is complete in most government-contracted, non-profit, and low-cost private healthcare facilities. Recently, NHIF announced that as part of its brand-new “Chronic Disease Fund,” it will cover up to Sh5 million of any member’s medical expenses for care received outside the nation. Only people with disorders that cannot be treated locally will be eligible for this benefit.

What is Bone Marrow Transplant?

In a bone marrow transplant surgery, healthy stem cells that have been lost as a result of chemotherapy or radiation are used to replace damaged or dysfunctional bone marrow tissue. Depending on the severity of the issue and the need for the transplant, there are many types of transplant operations.

A bone marrow transplant or stem cell therapy is advised to be used for the disorders such as those that impact how a healthy bone marrow functions, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

Types of Bone Marrow Transplant

Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant

Through the use of specialized equipment called apheresis, the patient’s bone marrow is removed, and after undergoing conditioning therapy, it is returned to the patient.

Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant

The donor is either a family member or a related person who shares a comparable HLA. Stem cells are obtained from an HLA-matched donor, typically a sibling or brother, either through bone marrow harvesting or through apheresis (peripheral blood stem cells).

NHIF Bone Marrow Transplant coverage in Kenya

NHIF Overseas treatment Approval Process

In Kenya, NHIF Covers treatment overseas, to get approval, follow the steps mentioned below:

The first step is to collect the following documents:

• Latest medical reports
• Referral letter from the treating Hospital and Doctor
• NHIF insurance copy
• National ID

Fill out the Overseas referral online application or you can download the NHIF Overseas treatment application and fill.

Send all required documents and NHIF Overseas application to the nearest NHIF Office.

The approval time is about 1-2 Weeks.

Finally, the approval letter will be sent to you.

NHIF BMT Referral Letter

Once the local treating doctor diagnoses the problem and suggests for Bone Marrow transplant, you can ask him/her for the referral letter. There is a standard format for NHIF BMT Overseas referral available. Fill out the application and submit it.

NHIF BMT Hospitals in India

There are many hospitals in India providing Bone Marrow Transplants. You can choose the best BMT Hospital in India based on Ratings and reviews also cost estimates. The Indian hospitals have top-class facilities providing a high success rate.

Top Hospitals are:

• Max Hospital
• Apollo Hospital
• Fortis Hospital
• Manipal Hospital
• Medanta Hospital
• BLK Max Hospital
• HCG Cancer Center

National Health Insurance Fund for Bone Marrow Transplant

Bone Marrow Transplant is a popular procedure used to treat chronic diseases. Developing nations with strong and excellent healthcare infrastructures and technologies, such as Mexico in North America, Jordan and Turkey in West Asia, India in South East Asia, and South Korea in East Asia, offer bone marrow transplant surgeries at lower costs than hospitals.

NHIF helps patients in Kenya to get Bone Marrow Transplant Abroad. Under NHIF, a sum amount of insurance coverage is provided to Kenya’s Patients to get BMT abroad such as in India.

NHIF Bone Marrow Transplant in Kenya

NHIF BMT Package for India

Following NHIF approval for treatment overseas, the patient will receive assistance in selecting the facility, making travel and lodging arrangements, and procuring visas. Additionally, it makes medical appointments easier to schedule, supports patients through surgery, and offers prompt follow-ups. The package given by NHIF for treating cancerous diseases is around Sh 5 million. 

Facilities provided under NIHF

• Chronic conditions including cancer and kidney failure will be prioritized under the new strategy.
• A patient will need a letter of verification from the Director of Medical Services to be eligible for the financing.
• According to the revised rates, the minimum contribution is Sh500 per month and the maximum is Sh1,700.

Outpatient treatments such as consultation costs, physiotherapy services, drug dispensing, lab tests, wellness and counseling, health education, and immunization are all covered by NHIF. Additionally, the insurance provider will pay for the cost of the bed as well as any associated treatments including physiotherapy, laboratory services, specialist consultations, nursing care, medicine, and surgery.

FAQs on NHIF Bone Marrow Transplant