Social Health Authority chairman Timothy Olweny has defended the Social Health Act, saying it will address NHIF's shortcomings.
He said SHA will help fulfill the government's mandate to provide affordable primary healthcare and emergency health services.
Olweny said the Act will provide additional services that were not covered by NHIF.
“We will be better than NHIF. The transition is going to be very smooth,” he told the Star.
Preparations are in full gear to have the programme working, Olweny said. This is despite the court cases that have dragged the process.
He said Kenyans should expect the Social Health Insurance Fund to be fully operational by October 1.
Registration is currently ongoing.
“It will be operational by October 1, unless issues that might hinder operation arise. For now, registration continues and more than 509,267 Kenyans have registered,” Olweny said.
The chairman admitted that the transition has not been easy.
“There are challenges, but we have managed so far,” he said.
The authority extended the service providers contracts to enable patients with NHIF cards to continue accessing services.
Olweny said the contract extension had nothing to do with the High Court’s decision on SHIF.
He said Linda Mama which was also an issue of contention will be available.
Olweny said they are enhancing the maternity cover to cater for the benefits that it did not have.
“This is a strategic government project, it cannot be abandoned. It is only being enhanced in aspects such as increasing the number of outpatient visits and emergency services,” he said.
"It will cover delivery and other reproductive services and complications."
Asked if the name will remain the same, Olweny said, "If it were up to me, I would maintain it.”
He said no decision has been made yet.
