Government postpones implementation of new social healthcare scheme

Social Health Authority (SHA) acting Chief Executive Officer, Elijah Wachira. [File, Standard] The implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA) has been pushed forward by three months. This has been revealed by the authority's acting Chief Executive Officer, Elijah Wachira. Speaking during the launch of a nationwide registration exercise in Nairobi, Wachira said, "This process has been divided into various phases. The phase number one we have launched is the registration phase." He further added that Kenyans will continue contributing to the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) pending transition. "We have to be careful. You realise that people will access NHIF benefits for the next three months and therefore they will pay for the NHIF benefits for the three months," said Wachira. He added, "In layman's language, we have pushed forward the implementation of the SHA benefits by a period of about three months. "Because the implementation of the SHA benefits has been pushed forward for three months that means that what we shall continue accessing the NHIF benefits." He also added, "We are reworking to align to this reality. The existing NHIF contributions and benefits will continue until we roll over to Social Health Authority." On her part, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Health, Susan Nakhumicha, said the nationwide registration for the new Social Health Insurance scheme is set to begin on July 1, 2024. She also added that the registration process will be both online and through the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code 147 and online. "For Kenyans to remember, we have one nation, we have 47 counties. So registration is *147#." Citizens can also register online at www.sha.go.ke or seek assistance from community health promoters," said Nakhumicha. As Kenyans continue paying their current NHIF rates and receiving the same benefits under the old scheme, the new SHA contribution rate of 2.75 per cent will only come into effect when the new benefits are ready for rollout. This is pegged on budget considerations. The exercise aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage, as anticipated in the Kenya Kwanza administration's pledge. It is also meant to address longstanding challenges that have bedevilled the defunct NHIF, according to the Cabinet Secretary. The launch comes amid an agitation by youthful protesters, who have cited failures in the public health sector as one of the issues cresting a revolt against the State, beyond the Finance Bill that has since been withdrawn by President William Ruto. The youths have cited the issue of medical interns that is still swirling and which was at the centre of long-drawn doctors strike. Industrial action Clinical officers have also been on industrial action for the third month now, with their own interns as one of the unresolved matters. The new system, established under the Social Health Insurance Act of 2023, promises to be more inclusive and efficient. "The Act guarantees all Kenyans to receive an optimal health package with a similar and standard level of care that is without exclusions," Nakhumicha explained. Key features of the new system include three separate funds - Primary Health Care Fund, Social Health Insurance Fund and Emergency, and Chronic and Critical Illness Fund. It also guarantees health coverage for all Kenyans, including those with low or no income. It also brings forth the digitisation of processes to reduce fraud and improve efficiency. As Kenya moves towards this new era of healthcare financing, the success of this process lies in its implementation.

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