SHA will succeed, DP Kindiki assures Kenyans
"Yes, we have a few challenges but the new health system will work."
11d agoCOLLINS KIPKEMBOINews
Health CS Deborah Barasa is set to appear before Parliament to give updates on the transition of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang'ula, said members of parliament will convene for a session on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
Wetang'ula said the members will discuss challenges experienced in the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage programme.
He said that the Health CS along with key stakeholders in the ministry will address the members and provide updates.
This comes after the public, through their elected representatives, expressed concerns about the initial challenges facing the implementation of the new medical scheme.
''The Ministry of Health rolled out the program on October 1, and the progress has been encouraging despite a few challenges; indeed several members of this house voiced concerns from their electorate regarding some of the teething problems from the implementation of the programme,'' he added.
''In this regard, I have received and given okay to a request from the Cabinet Secretary of Health seeking to engage with all honourable members on various matters relating to the implementation of the UHC programme.''
This comes even as the rollout of the new health scheme has continued to face challenges and complaints from many Kenyans.
Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management CS Justin Muturi directed Huduma Centres across the country to set up Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) desks.
The CS said that the move will help end confusion around the Social Health Insurance Fund and Social Health Authority.
According to the CS, the SHIF desks in Huduma Centres will enable an easy point of access to information.
“I recognize that there has been confusion around SHIF and the Social Health Authority (SHA). To bridge this gap, I have directed that all Huduma Centres across the country establish SHIF desks, ensuring every Kenyan can easily access information and register for this transformative program,” Muturi said in a statement on Monday on X.
On Monday, CS Muturi visited the Kapsabet Huduma Centre in Nandi County to assess the quality of services offered to Kenyans.
He said a key highlight of the visit was the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) desk set up to provide - explanations and registration services to residents.
“Affordable healthcare, under Universal Health Coverage, was a cornerstone of Kenya Kwanza’s manifesto during the 2022 campaigns, and we are committed to fulfilling this promise,” the CS said.
As of November 28, 2024, the Ministry of Health said that 15, 559,426 Kenyans had already registered with the new Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme.
