State set to gazette SHIF on Friday

Health CS Susan Nakhumicha. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The Ministry of Health has announced that the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) will be gazetted this week.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha said it is no longer in doubt as the laws to operationalise the fund are in place.

Speaking during the launch of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) Regional Distribution Centre in Kisumu on Wednesday, the CS said that once SHIF is gazetted, a deduction of 2.75 per cent to the health insurance will take effect.

"The beauty is that for poor Kenyans who are unable to pay like the elderly, those living with a disability because they lack any form of income, the government will pay for them," she said.

Nakhumicha said low-income earners will pay Sh300 while the rest of Kenyans 2.75 per cent of their income.

"I want to beseech our leaders that this is not too much to ask considering that they have so many people calling them to support them with their health issues and they have to part with lots of money and so we are asking them that instead of giving out monies, they just give me 2.75 per cent to enable me to sort out this health problem once and for all," she said.

The CS vowed to put the money to good use saying corruption that has been witnessed in the Ministry of Health (MoH) is now a thing of the past.

"I will ensure we optimize the resources we receive. This is not just a story, after the gazettement on Friday we begin a journey to take care of Kenyans," she said.

Meanwhile, Kemsa wants counties to pay the outstanding Sh3.1 billion debt to ensure efficient service delivery.

Kemsa board chairman Irungu Nyakera, said some counties have long-standing debts that constrain their capacity to deliver services.

"I wish to implore our clients to consider paying off their outstanding debts with Kemsa. Some of our clients have long-standing debts amounting to more than Sh3.1 billion that constrain our capacity to deliver services," he said.

Mr Nyakera assured that they will continue to engage closely with the Council of Governors and respective governors to unlock the settlement of the debts.

Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili explained that the outstanding Kemsa debts have been occasioned by delays in the disbursement of funds by the National Treasury.

"You want us to pay as first as possible but we rely on monies from elsewhere and when it delays, we also delay," he said.

Vihiga Governor Wilber Otichilo said they are committed to paying on time but have to wait for money from somewhere.

Governor Otichilo regretted that challenges in accessing essential drugs on time from Kemsa put them in awkward situations.

He said they get drugs that are not in demand most of the time. "Look at drugs that are in high demand and avail them to us without any problem. We have all sorts of drugs in our facilities that are not in demand that end up expiring. We need Kemsa to prioritise drugs that are in high demand," he noted.

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka said that most of the time they get drugs that they have not requested and this puts them in trouble with the people.

Dr Lusaka assured Kemsa that counties will strive to pay debts subject to the availability of funds.

"We want effective delivery up to the dispensary level. We shall pay Kemsa in due course when funds are available. We will do our level best to reduce the debts and pay because we are partners but also ensure you supply drugs," he said.

Parliamentary Health Committee chairman Robert Pukose said it was time for the board to clean up KEMSA and the changes must start right from the attitude of workers.

Pukose lauded the board for instituting changes but demanded for more action, especially on procurement.

"Those in procurement positions should not engage in deals. Efficient supply to counties to make hospitals better and ensure devolved units get the supplies they want," he said.