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| Head of Public Service Felix Koskei |
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has reassured employees of the now-defunct National Hospital and Insurance Fund (NHIF) that they will not lose their jobs. Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said NHIF employees will be transitioned to SHA and other government departments. Will NHIF employees be absorbed? During an impromptu town hall meeting with NHIF staff on Wednesday, October 30, Koskei stated that appraisals will be fair and that employees who will not transition to the Social Health Authority (SHA) will be absorbed into other government departments.
The Standard reported that Koskei assured NHIF staff that they would be given priority since SHA slots had not been filled. “The entire staff of SHA has not been filled and the people who will be given priority and who deserve first priority are the NHIF staff. That is the assurance we have given them,” Koskei said, as reported by Citizen TV. The guarantee was given after most NHIF workers voiced concerns about losing their jobs. Some employees were concerned because most SHA roles were highly digital.
“Those who perhaps don’t manage to be onboarded will be deployed to other government institutions, ministries, parastatals and other agencies so that at the end of the day the 100% ration retention will be assured,” Koskei reiterated. NHIF employees to face fresh interviews On Tuesday, October 1, Principal Secretary (PS) of the State Department for Medical Services, Harry Kimtai, noted that NHIF employees will be vetted afresh before being transferred to SHA. Kimtai disclosed that NHIF has 1743 staff members while SHA has 485 interim employees who were previously NHIF employees.
He explained that the current NHIF staff shall, on the application and vetting process, be transited to SHA. When did govt roll out SHA? The government officially launched the Social Health Authority (SHA) on Tuesday, October 1, taking over from NHIF. Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa said the Linda Mama programme for pregnant women will be improved and integrated under SHIF.
Under SHIF, patients with sickle cell anaemia will receive a cover of up to KSh 6,800, while those with diabetes would get KSh 4,300. Kidney failure management will cost KSh 10,650 for each session of hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration treatments and KSh 85,200 per month for peritoneal dialysis.
by Japhet Ruto
