Why the 'free' tag became a very costly affair in Kisumu HEALTH & SCIENCE Over-consumption of services explains why NHIF did away with the scheme used to pilot the UHC programme at a cost of Sh4b saying it is too expensive. [Courtesy] It is the allure of free health services that made Kisumu resident Tom Opiyo register for the UHC programme. Even though his mother, Mary Owiro, prefers her NHIF card – because of her preference for private facilities – Opiyo says UHC is better. “For UHC you can get treatment in any government facility for free, even in a dispensary. However, for NHIF, you have to choose a particular hospital,” Opiyo says.