President William Ruto has brushed off critics of the newly implemented Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Ruto on Monday said that the naysayers were becoming fewer upon realisation that the new health care system is functional.
He was speaking during the 11th National and County Governments Coordinating Summit at State House, Nairobi.
“They were saying the other week that this thing is not
going to work, now they are saying it is working but it is creating two
categories of Kenyans,” Ruto said.
Ruto expressed optimism noting that public perception of the new health fund is steadily improving.
“That is good progress, at least we are beyond the point where is it working or not. We will move to the next step and demonstrate to them that in fact, it is working for everybody," he said.
Ruto emphasised that extensive planning had gone into the
rollout of the programme.
“My team and I together with the Council of Governors have spent countless hours determining
how this will be implemented. I have no doubt in my mind that this program will
succeed,” he assured.
Ruto described SHIF as a key driver of the healthcare initiative which he claimed is unlocking the path to an inclusive and
functional healthcare system for all Kenyans.
“The progress we are unlocking under Taifa care will enable
us to achieve a goal that has eluded us for many decades. A functional and
inclusive system that delivers universal healthcare as a fundamental
entitlement for all Kenyans,” Ruto said.
The President also underscored the significance of the Universal
Health Coverage (UHC) noting that it had been a long-term goal for the two
previous administrations.
He acknowledged the groundwork laid by the two preceding
governments and expressed commitment to finally realizing the dream of UHC.
“It happens to be that fate has conspired that we are the
people to implement it. I assure the citizens of Kenya that the universal
health coverage will be implemented and it will be functional,” Ruto said.