By Habil Onyango
The new health scheme, the Social Health Authority (SHA) starts operation tomorrow.
As the Government will on October 1st this launches the scheme, confusion was still evident in a section of members.
Several Kenyans are still not knowledgeable in differentiating between the SHA and the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
The SHA, which is set to replace NHIF, aims to provide affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare services to all Kenyans.
The Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura has said SHA will offer more benefits to Kenyans as it will offer access to medical care by all, through enhanced Government financing.
Mwaura said the Bottom-Up Economic Transformational Agenda (THE BETA PLAN) prioritizes Universal Health Coverage for all Kenyans, regardless of their financial status.
“This initiative was built on four key pillars: Sustainable Health Financing, Effective Supply of Health Care Products and Technologies (HPT), Adequate Healthcare Workforce, and Comprehensive Integrated Health Information Systems,” said Mwaura.
He said sustainable financing has been a challenge under the NHIF, which primarily relies on contributions from employed individuals.
He said this has hindered broader health financing, which is essential for providing equitable healthcare services, to all Kenyans.
The Government has come up with SHA as an alternative way to address the challenges faced by NHIF,” said Mwaura.
He said the SHA aims to include all adult Kenyans in contributing to a sustainable fund that covers a wider range of health services.
“Unlike NHIF, which mostly required additional community fundraising efforts, SHA ensures that every citizen can access quality healthcare, through enhanced Government financing,” said the spokesman.
“This is possible through the newly introduced legal frameworks aimed to facilitate the transition to Universal Health Care,” he said
According to Mwaura, the frameworks include; the Primary Healthcare Act, the Social Health Insurance Act, along the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Act.
“Together, these frameworks will create three thematic funds; the Primary Health Care Fund, the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund, both of which will be publicly financed, and the Social Health Insurance Fund, to be financed through individual contributions.
He said the shift aims at providing comprehensive, quality, and equitable healthcare for all Kenyans, including those in the informal employment sector which will be done through the engagement of Community Health Promoters (CHPs),” he said.
“SHA envisions a system in which preventive and promotive healthcare services work towards early diagnosis and treatment, further lessening the disease burden and Kenyans should embrace it,” he said in a press release.
Under NHIF, registered members contribute a minimum of Kshs.500 per month, regardless of their financial situation.
However, according to Mwaura, upon registration with SHA, Kenyans will gain access to consultation, diagnostic, laboratory services, drug administration, and treatment for various diseases, including non-communicable diseases.
“These services will be available in Levels two, three, and selected Level four facilities,” he added.
He told Kenyans that SHA will also expand coverage for chronic and critical illnesses such as cancer, specialized surgical procedures like organ transplants, and end-of-life care.
“Another key feature of SHA is the enhanced Linda Mama package, which supports maternal and child healthcare,” he said.
“This package addresses high maternal and infant mortality rates by covering all antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care services, unlike NHIF, which provided antenatal and delivery care only,” said Mwaura.
“Additionally, essential newborn care including immunizations and management of neonatal complications will be available at Levels 2-6 hospitals. This comprehensive approach ensures better health outcomes for mothers and their children, reinforcing the commitment to universal health coverage in Kenya,” he said
