Kenyans have been urged to shun propaganda from government critics and register with the Social Health Authority.
Education CS Julias Ogamba and presidential advisor Moses Kuria on Thursday accused some leaders of misleading Kenyans about SHA.
Ogamba and Kuria said selfish and heartless leaders, who can access the best healthcare services in the world, are lying to Kenyans who will continue to suffer when they or their loved ones fall sick.
“Sickness is a personal thing just as the bills to be paid are personal. If you decide to listen to propaganda from rich people who can afford expensive treatment abroad, you are on your own,” Kuria said.
The former Trade CS said health challenges are experienced by residents and not the government. He said there are people out to scuttle the government agenda even if it means hurting Kenyans.
He likened SHA to a harambee only this time, the harambee is attended by people unknown to beneficiaries. “Before SHA, Sh1,700 was deducted from my salary.
Currently, Sh27,000 is being deducted. That means I help more people including those I have never seen,” Kuria said.
Ogamba said Taifacare Express School Edition will help learners stay healthy in school and succeed in life.
He spoke during the launch of the programme in Likoni, Mombasa.
All the 15 million learners in primary and secondary are targeted for registration.
“This Taifacare is designed to protect families from the high cost of healthcare by covering preventive and promotive health services for learners,” Ogamba said.
“By enrolling our children as dependants for Taifacare, parents will ensure learners stay healthy, learn better and avoid missing school due to illness,” he said.
Ogamba said Taifacare is making the cost of access to quality healthcare easier and cheaper for every family.
He said Taifacare is an upgrade of the EduAfya programme which only catered for secondary school learners.
“Henceforth, our learners will be entitled to regular health screenings, vaccination and hygiene promotion. This programme seeks to reduce poverty by lowering healthcare costs and improving children’s academic outcomes for a bright future,” Ogamba said.
He said parents remain key to this programme because they will provide primary registration data upon which the details of the learners will be embedded.
The CS praised Mombasa government for being a great partner in the
SHA journey.
