Health Cabinet Secretary Aden DualeUniversal health coverage for primary healthcare stands at 40 per cent within the last six months, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has revealed.
In a statement to the National Assembly responding to various questions by MPs, Duale noted that free primary healthcare services are now available to 21.3 million Kenyans.
He said the services are in all public level 2-4 facilities (dispensaries, health centers, and sub-county hospitals) and contracted private and faith-based level 2-4 facilities (clinics and middle-level hospitals).
Duale said there is an improved health benefits package compared to the defunct NHIF (such as ICU, cancer, surgeries, and maternity, among others).
“We will keep improving the benefit package until we weed out all medical harambees in WhatsApp groups in our country,” he added.
The CS was responding to a question from Kiambaa MP John Wanjiku, who requested to be given an update on the operations of the Social Health Authority (SHA), including key milestones achieved and challenges since inception.
Duale further cited operationalisation of free emergency services in any health facility as envisioned under Article 43(2) of the Constitution as a key achievement.
He further named timely payment of claims. “All claims are paid on the 14th day of every month. NHIF had no payment timelines,” he explained.
Nonetheless, Duale said some employers are not remitting statutory contributions to SHA, denying services to their employees.
He also said there is inadequate awareness of SHA, manipulation of the means testing tool resulting in inaccurate premiums, legacy debts from the former NHIF system, as some other challenges facing SHA.
“The implementation of the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023 is still at its early stages and most of the challenges faced so far are operational and do not require legal intervention,” Duale added.
“If and when, the Ministry notes any need for legal reform, the Ministry will propose the same to Parliament.”
Asked to clarify how SHA is enforcing the payment of contributions by employers, Duale said the authority sends reminders (SMS) every 15th and 30th of every month to employers and employees.
“SHA has also designated officers to follow up on the payment of contributions,” he added.
