The government has announced mass registrations for Kenyans to the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) across all 47 counties in Kenya.
Cabinet in a June 11, 2024, despatch announced that the Ministry of Health will lead a mass registration exercise commencing on 21st June 2024.
This is after the Cabinet chaired by President William Ruto approved the framework for a full transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“IN FURTHERANCE of the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a key pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, Cabinet approved the framework for a full transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA) beginning 1st July 2024.
To facilitate this transition, the Ministry of Health will lead a mass registration exercise commencing on 21st June 2024, across all 47 counties and on all platforms,” read part of the dispatch.
Consequently, Cabinet urged all Kenyans to register under the new scheme highlighting it as the historic endeavor to usher Kenya into the league of nations with health coverage for all.
SHIF Mass Registration
According to the government, Kenyans can register on phone, at all public hospitals and through the 100,000 Community Health Promoters across the country.
Also Read: Date Set for Monthly SHIF Deductions Affecting Salaried Kenyans
The approval by Cabinet comes after Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha published a new document breaking down treatment tariffs that will be used under SHIF.
Nakhumicha in the document revealed that Kenyans with SHIF insurance policies will also be able to access six free services at SHIF-accredited hospitals in the country.
Among the services Kenyans will be able to access include HIV testing and follow-up tests, access to Antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, family planning, and antimalarial medication and testing.
Immunisation services for children and Anti-tuberculosis will also be offered for free.
Back in April, the Social Health Authority had revealed that the government would start remitting off 2.75 percent of the gross salaries from salaried Kenyans towards SHIF from July 1.
This announcement which was made by SHA chairman Timothy Olweny back in April marked a shift from the initial announcement made by the Ministry of Health.
According to the SHA chairman, the adjustment in the timeline was outlined in the final version of the Social Health Insurance (General) Regulations, 2024.
Also Read: National Assembly Counters Doctors Petition on SHIF
Additionally, the regulations stipulated that membership registration for the SHIF must be finalized by June 30.
“Payment of contributions and access to health services under the Act and these regulations will commence on July 1, 2024,” read the regulations in part.
Cabinet Meeting
The transition framework approval by the Cabinet is among things that were agreed upon in the meeting of Cabinet chaired by Ruto at State House, Nairobi.
According to the Cabinet, the meeting was preceded by the Head of State’s highly successful engagements at international fora.
In another announcement, Cabinet revealed that Kenya is set to host East African Community (EAC) Member States in marking this year’s World Kiswahili Day from July 5-7, 2024.
According to Cabinet, this is in celebration of Kenya’s heritage and splendor, as well as the significance of language as a medium of cultural expression.
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