The National Assembly wants personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kits and reagents exempted from tax to make Covid-19 treatment affordable.
This, among other issues, will be discussed on Wednesday in a meeting called by the National Assembly Health Committee. National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani is expected to attend.
“Consideration of waiving of VAT and duty for medical supplies which include testing kits, reagents and PPE to reduce the cost of care passed on to Kenyans seeking services in private facilities,” reads the letter dated November 20.
The letter, drafted by Clerk of the National Assembly Jeremiah Ndombi and copied to KMPDU Secretary General Chibanzi Mwachonda, is also addressed to Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, Council of Governors (CoG) Chair Wycliffe Oparanya, and Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) chair Lyn Mengich.
Others are Vice Chancellors Stephen Kiama (University of Nairobi), Isaac Kosgey (Moi University), and Paul Wainaina (Kenyatta University).
“In recognition of the fact that health functions are shared between national and county governments, the committee has deemed it necessary to invite you for a meeting to deliberate and seek permanent solutions to the unresolved issues raised by the union,” reads the letter.
The vice chancellors and SRC will respond to alleged skewed implementation of risk, Covid-19 compensation and call allowances while CoG will address queries on why doctors do not have a comprehensive NHIF cover and issues on promotion and establishment of treatment facilities for infected medics.
Kagwe will address payment of call allowances for doctors, enhancement of risk allowances, provision of PPE, employment of 2,000 doctors and the setting up of an isolation centre for medics at Kenyatta National Hospital.