Kenyans to start contributing to SHIF in February- CS Nakhumicha
Kenyans will begin contributing to the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) next month following the recent High Court ruling that gave a green light on its implementation, Heath Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha said over the weekend.
The CS, speaking in the North Rift noted that the fund is crucial to ensure lower cost of health care since many Kenyans will have access to affordable health care.
“I am happy that the courts allowed us to continue with the implementation of this programme. We are on course to deliver to Kenyans what our government promised to Kenyans,” she said in Kapsowar, Elgeyo Marakwet county.
“We are now at the public participation stage and the regulation will take effect within the next two weeks,” said Ms Nakhumicha at a function over the weekend.
She explained that the programme would lower the cost of access to health care for many Kenyans who cannot afford it.
“The President promised to lower contributions from Sh500 to Sh300 and we are ready to implement this to benefit many Kenyans. Within the next two to three weeks, Kenyans will start making their contributions to this fund,” explained the CS.
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She said that most Kenyans like many countries in the world, are overburdened by medical conditions such as cancer, hypertension, and diabetes and the new fund will address this.
“The constitution guarantees good health to every Kenyan but most Kenyans have been burned by these diseases. Every year, the government is spending over Sh30 billion on treatment and managing these conditions. These monies can be reallocated to create employment through affordable housing programmes and other projects,” explained the CS.
The CS has previously stated that the new regulations will address the limitations observed in the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) by prioritising equitable access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare services for all Kenyans.
SHIF is part of a comprehensive healthcare reform package that includes the Digital Health Act, Primary Health Care Act, and the Facility Improvement Financing Act.