All civil servants in the country have been directed to register for the Social Health Insurance Fund by October 1, 2024.
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said the Ministry of Energy and ICT will support internet and power connection to health facilities.
Speaking on Thursday during a press briefing, Mwaura said the Ministry of Education will support student registration.
"All civil servants are expected to be registered by October 1, 2024, with the Ministries of Energy and Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy required to support power and internet connections to health facilities across the country," the government spokesman said.
"The Ministry of Education will support student registration, while the Ministry of the Interior will facilitate the rollout through its National Government Administrative Offices (NGAOs) network."
Mwaura said that as of September 3, 2024, 861,101 Kenyans had registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA) and 9,792 health facilities, including 2,008 public and 7,784 private and faith-based facilities, were licensed with KMPDC.
He further said draft contracts with healthcare providers have been finalized adding that the government is now focused on public awareness and education regarding the transition from NHIF to SHA.
Mwaura said that healthcare provider engagement will begin once tariffs are gazetted.
There are three forms of contributions to SHIF, salaried employees in the formal sector will channel their contributions through their employers at a rate of 2.75 per cent of an individual's gross salary, while non-salaried individuals in the informal sector will also contribute 2.75 per cent of their incomes, as determined by means testing.
The government spokesman added that the national and county governments will pay the insurance premiums for the poor, prisoners/those in custody, and vulnerable populations through social protection, as determined using testing.
Mwaura said the shift from NHIF to SHIF introduces enhanced benefits such as full digitisation, biometric verification, independent accreditation, an expanded benefits package and reduced monthly premiums from Sh500 to Sh300.
Others are fair contributions for all sectors, universal coverage, emergency care, and government support for the very poor and severely disabled as outlined in the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2003.
With the SHA card Kenyans will have access to all health facilities including public, private, and faith-based organizations.
