President William Ruto has declared that the government will start covering the Social Health Authority (SHA) contributions for Kenyans who are unable to pay. Ruto noted that the initiative comes after a successful identification process. Why will govt pay SHA contributions for some Kenyans? This measure, he said, will guarantee that no one is excluded from the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme. He emphasised that the scheme is equitable because those who can afford it contribute 2.75% of their salary. As a result, the government has been able to raise enough money to support individuals who cannot afford it. “The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) was discriminatory.
Mama Mboga used to pay KSh 500, the equivalent of 10% of their income. I used to pay KSh 1,700, which was equivalent to 0.01% of my salary. This was unjust,” Ruto stated during a meeting with Meru leaders on Friday, August 29, at State House, Nairobi. How many Kenyans have registered under SHA? According to the president, SHA has registered 25.8 million Kenyans to date, compared to seven million members of the now-defunct NHIF. He clarified that outpatient services at dispensaries, health centres, and sub-county hospitals remain free, adding that SHA serves all Kenyans who have enrolled. Deputy President (DP) Kithure Kindiki reiterated that many Kenyans seeking medical attention would find it easier to cover their hospital expenses thanks to the coverage that will be provided under the new SHA medical policy. “The government has allocated KSh 22 billion in the current budget to ensure that SHA covers all outpatient medical expenses at all Kenyan hospitals.
If you visit a hospital without being admitted, you receive care and leave without having to pay anything,” he stated. President William Ruto argued NHIF was discriminatory against mama mboga. Kindiki admitted that there are challenges with the SHA’s implementation, but he assured Kenyans that these will be resolved quickly to increase its effectiveness. “We are making SHA better. This is a brand-new, extensive system. Although we are making every effort to eliminate teething challenges, you can be confident that this is the best investment we have ever made,” the DP explained.
By Japhet Ruto
