Government to refund patients who paid own fees during SHIF rollout

Health CS Deborah Barasa (center), PS Medical Services Harry Kimtai (left) and SHA Chairperson Dr Abdi Mohamed before National Assembly's Health Committee to discuss the rollout of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) in preparation for the Universal Health Coverage launch on 1st October 2024 [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The government has announced that patients who paid for healthcare services out-of-pocket since the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA) began will be refunded.

The announcement comes amid persistent confusion and frustrations across the country, with patients encountering challenges while trying to access services that were previously covered under the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund..