New Year, new health promise: SHA will be easy to use, says PS

Health and Medical Services PS Harry Kimtai. [File, Standard]

The Social Health Authority (SHA)will be more accessible especially for vulnerable groups, from January next year.

Health and Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai said SHA has come up with new incentives to woo Kenyans to register for the health scheme and debunk negative publicity.

The PS promised Kenyans a new face of the health scheme in the New Year, with all packages taking shape as envisaged in the Social Health Insurance Act (SHIA).

“Kenyans can expect a whole new experience of Taifa Care in the New Year. From primary healthcare to higher categories of the insurance scheme, the cover will work the way it was meant,” he said.

Under the revamped Taifa Care programme, patients seeking treatment at primary healthcare facilities will receive care for free — even if they haven’t fully paid their contributions to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

The only requirement? Registration, which has been simplified to just presenting a national ID card.

The PS promised Kenyans a new face of the health scheme in the New Year, with all packages taking shape as envisaged in the Social Health Insurance Act (SHIA).

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“This is the new face of healthcare for Kenyans,” Kimtai declared during a press briefing at Afya House.

“We want every Kenyan to experience seamless, affordable, and dignified healthcare, regardless of their financial status.”

Chronic disease patients, often caught in a cycle of debt, are also set to benefit. The SHA is introducing a fund specifically for conditions such as diabetes and kidney failure.

He said SHA will introduce the chronic diseases fund for those with chronic ailments to access treatment even where they have not paid up for the scheme contributions.

“Dialysis patients, for example, have faced immense frustration. We are equipping Level 4 and 5 hospitals with the necessary machines and supplies to ensure they receive the care they need,” Kimtai said.

Emergencies, a frequent financial burden for families, are also being addressed. A new emergency chronic care fund will cover critical care services—including ICU admission, surgeries, and accident-related treatments—without requiring deposits.

“No one should lose their life because they couldn’t afford a deposit. This fund will ensure immediate treatment, even for contributors who are behind on payments,” he said.

He said the registration has been simplified to the requirement of identity card only, clarifying that documents for employed members will be filled out by the employer while the self-employed and unemployed will only be asked for the ID card.

This week, the government realesed Sh1.5 billion to Kenya Medical Supplies Authority to buy drugs for all primary health care facilities in the 47 counties, said the PS.

Kimtai said this is meant to ensure dispensaries and Level 1 clinics, meant to offer free service for all patients registered under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), have enough drugs.

To restore confidence in public healthcare, the government is committed to clearing debts owed to private and faith-based hospitals.

“Our goal is to create a public insurance scheme that is as competitive as private insurance but accessible to everyone,” said Kimtai.

Lack of drugs has been one of the most widespread complaints by patients as the overall Taifa Healthcare programme that encompasses the whole new health insurance scheme, grapples with a barrage of criticism.

Last week during a Kamukunjni meeting, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Mulongo echoed this sentiment, urging MPs to rally support for the scheme.

“Mass registration is the key to ensuring every Kenyan benefits from this transformative programme,” she said.

Dr Mulongo appeared before MPs in a Speakers’ Kamukunji of both Houses of Parliament, and said the electorate stand to benefit more when mass registration is achieved.