The Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Health Dr. Debra Barasa, has commended the successful implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA) registration process at Kapenguria Referral Hospital, highlighting that all patients visited during the tour had been properly registered under the national health scheme.
The visit, which is part of a nationwide tour, aims to evaluate the progress and challenges in the roll-out of health sector reforms outlined in the country’s comprehensive health strategy.
Speaking during the assessment of the progress of the SHA initiative, CS Barasa noted the positive results of the registration process, which aims to ensure that every Kenyan has access to essential health services, regardless of their financial or geographical constraints.
She observed that the registration process has shown promising results, reflecting the government’s commitment to overcoming financial and geographical barriers to healthcare.
She said SHA aims to enhance accessibility and ensure that no Kenyan is left behind in receiving necessary medical services across the country.
“We are pleased to report that, during today’s visit, we were able to go through the SHA registration process and we saw a fruitful registration for all the patients we interacted with here at Kapenguria Referral Hospital,” said Barasa.
The CS emphasized the successful integration of the SHA registration process, which allows patients to access affordable healthcare services through the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
She highlighted that patients had been properly enrolled and paid their required contributions, reinforcing the commitment to universal health coverage (UHC) and strengthening the health financing system.
“I am pleased to report that all the patients we interacted with today were successfully registered under the Strategic Health Agenda and they have contributed to the NHIF scheme,” said Barasa.
The CS was particularly pleased to learn that patients undergoing dialysis treatment have been successfully registered through the Social Health Assessment (SHA) system and can now access critical hospital services.
“I am pleased to report that patients receiving dialysis treatment at this facility are now registered under the SHA program, ensuring they are receiving timely and effective care,” the CS said.
The CS noted that the Ministry has allocated a total of Sh19 billion for payments to health facilities contracted under SHA and so far, Sh5 billion has already been disbursed, with another Sh 2.5 billion expected to be released in the coming weeks assuring that by the end of December all contracted facilities will have received their first SHA payments.
“Our priority is to ensure that healthcare facilities, especially those in under-served areas like Kapenguria, are not only adequately funded but also supported in their day-to-day operations,” said Barasa.
The CS highlighted that the free care, combined with the efficient SHA registration system, is helping to streamline healthcare delivery and ensure that patients receive timely treatment without delays.
The CS urged hospital staff to continue encouraging patients to register through SHA to ensure no one is left behind in accessing necessary care.
“We must continue to work together to ensure that every patient who needs care is registered and able to access services without delay,” the CS added.
Barasa noted that many community members, particularly in rural areas, are still unaware of the benefits and availability of the program. As a result, some patients are missing out on essential healthcare services that are available to them at no cost.
The CS urged local politicians to take an active role in sensitizing their constituents about SHA registration, encouraging them to organize community talks, town hall meetings and other outreach activities to explain how the SHA system works.
“I strongly urge politicians to use their platforms to engage with the community about SHA registration,” said CS Barasa.
The health CS toured several key units, including Radiology, Maternity and Renal Care, and was pleased to observe the integration of SHA, which ensures that patients can access these vital services without financial barriers.
On his part, West Pokot Deputy governor Robert Komolle expressed gratitude on behalf of the county government for the visit from the Cabinet Secretary, aimed at seeing the implementation of the SHA initiative in the local hospitals.
He acknowledged the national government’s steadfast commitment to advancing healthcare in Kenya and emphasized the county’s eagerness to see local communities benefit from the affordable healthcare initiative.
The Deputy Governor stated that the county government is committed to supporting the national government in enhancing healthcare services for the benefit of residents.
By Agneta Chebet and Anthony Melly
