Hope for Michelle Awuor as NHIF steps in

Michelle Awuor, 8, who has been unable to close her eyes or turn her neck around for the past two years, is attended to in a Red Cross ambulance outside their house at Railways Estate in Kisumu on September 7, 2017. Looking on is her father, Mr Japheth Otondi. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Michelle Awuor, 8, was promptly booked in at Kenyatta National Hospital for a reconstructive surgery which will be performed at the weekend.

  • NHIF chief executive Geoffrey Mwangi told the Nation the father is a registered member for the contributory medical scheme but had long defaulted remittance.

  • The girl’s father, Japheth Otondi, was a man cloaked  in despair when the Nation team first met the family on Wednesday.

A young girl whose eyesight and neck muscles were destroyed in a fire accident two years ago will now undergo specialised treatment.

On Thursday, the National Hospital Insurance Fund came to the aid of the girl whose story was first highlighted in the Nation.

Michelle Awuor, 8, was promptly booked in at Kenyatta National Hospital for a reconstructive surgery which will be performed at the weekend.

NHIF chief executive Geoffrey Mwangi told the Nation the father is a registered member for the contributory medical scheme but had long defaulted remittance.

“I was touched by the girl’s condition. I have waived the money and re-opened the card. She will undergo reconstructive surgery,” said Mr Mwangi.

SH400,000

“The surgery will cost Sh400,000 and we are going to pay for everything,” he said.

“This card is very important and can help in a situation like Michelle’s. We are appealing to Kenyans without the card to get one and for the defaulters to try and settle their bills. You never know when an urgent matter might arise and the card will be of great help,” he said.

The girl’s father, Japheth Otondi, was a man cloaked  in despair when the Nation team first met the family on Wednesday.

KIND GESTURE

But on Thursday, the kind gesture from NHIF seemed to have eased his mind. He smiled continuously as a Red Cross Ambulance took his daughter to hospital.

“I can’t believe that my daughter is going to close her eyes again. I have not been able sleep since my daughter got burned,” said Mr Otondi as his eyes welled up with tears of joy.

 “I cannot believe that Michelle will be able to turn her head. The assistance I have received from the well-wishers is unbelievable,” he said.