The government has allocated Sh6.1 billion for the Social Health Authority (SHA) which is set to be officially launched on October 1st, 2024.
Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr. Deborah Barasa said that SHA, which will replace the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), aims to provide affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare services to all Kenyans.
Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday during a media breakfast meeting, Dr. Barasa said that the comprehensive benefit package for the SHA has been finalized, though current government funding covers only 4% of the total estimated costs.
Dr. Barasa noted that the government has allocated Sh6.1 billion for the SHA, which is just a fraction of the Sh168 billion needed for full implementation.
“Kenya is set to make a major advancement in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with the official launch of SHA. I want to give the assurance that the new health authority will continue to improve as the system evolves and additional funding is secured,” said the CS.
She said that in addition to launching the SHA, the government is partnering with Safaricom to digitalise healthcare services, which will enhance efficiency and data management.
Dr. Barasa acknowledged the funding challenges but reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing out-of-pocket expenses and improving healthcare services.
The CS highlighted that Kenya has in recent year’s registered positive progress in the health sector with increased life expectancy and other health indicators as testament.
“However, the sector is facing other challenges like high maternal and infant mortality rates, triple burden of diseases that is communicable (HIV, tuberculosis), non-communicable (diabetes, hypertension and cancers), and increasing violence and injuries,” said Dr. Barasa.
Director General of Health Dr. Patrick Amoth said that SHA encompasses many benefits in that it offers access by all Kenyans to primary health and emergency services and it emphasizes on preventive and promotive care services.
Dr. Amoth said that SHA offers a broader range of outpatient services including essential lab investigations for diabetes, hypertension, sickle-cell and asthma among others as it focuses on comprehensive care including preventive and chronic conditions.
“In SHA we also have the Linda Mama package which covers the antenatal and postnatal care, delivery by CS and normal where newborn child and indigent mothers will be covered by the government for full benefits,” said Dr. Amoth.
He added that other benefits in SHA include overseas treatment, emergency evacuation, renal care treatment, haematology and oncology services, mental wellness services, surgical services and selected outpatient services like basic eye medication, and corrective eyeglasses.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
