Governor Muthomi Njuki rallies residents to enroll for SHA

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki shakes hands with USAID Mission Director David Gosney after the launch of a community-based library in Gatunga on October 8, 2024. [Patrick Vidija, Standard]

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has put all public and private health facilities on notice for sending away patients not enrolled for Social Health Authority.

Njuki said it is unethical for any health facility in the county to refuse to attend to patients simply because they are yet to register for SHA or they registered but their data is not available.

“What we are experiencing with the enrollment for the new health scheme are normal teething problems that any new project will encounter. These problems will be identified and solved amicably,” he said.

Njuki who was re-elected as the Chairperson Health Committee of the Council of Governors spoke on Tuesday in Gatunga village where he opened a community-based library.

“I am calling upon all the residents of Tharaka Nithi to take advantage and enroll for the new scheme. Meanwhile, all medical and health facilities should let people access treatment even as we work to solve the technical issues,” he said.

The county boss pointed out that system failure and internet downtime are among the things that have affected the seamless rollout of the new health scheme.

Njuki noted that the Sh500 that was being contributed per month under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) locked out a big percentage of the population from accessing medication.

“NHIF locked out over 75 per cent of Kenyans from accessing medication. However, the 2.7 per cent under the SHA plan will ensure that everyone can access health services without much struggle,” he said.

Njuki urged the residents to include their beneficiaries during registration for SHA to avoid being locked out.

“This new scheme is a one-in-three cover that will cater for advanced treatment, emergencies and now the SHA which is replacing NHIF. As you register please be advised that this is a household health cover that will cater for you, your spouse and children,” he said.

On Saturday, the Ministry of Health disclosed that 12,704,548 Kenyans had so far been enrolled in the new scheme.

In a statement to newsrooms, Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai said the number included verified members who were under the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and were transitioned to SHA.

Kimtai also raised concerns over members registering without including their beneficiaries.

“We have noted that most beneficiaries are registering but not adding their dependents. We call upon all to add their dependents for them to access healthcare services as well," he said.

The PS maintained that all registered SHA beneficiaries are entitled to free access to primary healthcare services under the Primary Healthcare Fund at Level 2 (dispensaries), Level 3 (health centres), and select Level 4 facilities, as well as emergency services in all health facilities.