The Ministry of Education has directed all parents and schools to ensure that all students are registered to Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
In a letter signed by Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, various institutions across the country have been asked to treat the exercise with utmost urgency.
Further, the Ministry has set a deadline of August 26, 2024, adding that all students should be registered under the insurance scheme before the beginning of the 2024 third term.
Additionally, all Regional and County Directors of Education have been informed that the Edu Afya package, now enhanced, will be offered under SHIF.
“Section 26 of the Social Health Insurance Act provides that every Kenyan, including children, shall register as a member of the Social Health Insurance Fund.
“Therefore, the Ministry of Health, State Department for Medical Services through the Social Health Authority has developed an enhanced benefit package for Edu Afya to be covered under the Social Health Insurance Fund,” the letter read in part.
Also Read: Govt Gives Way Forward on NHIF After Court Ruling on SHIF
How Parents Will Register their Children
The school going children will be registered as dependents of their parents. The registration can be done either through a USSD code or through the website.
“All School going children are therefore required to register as dependents of their parents before school opening dates for 3rd term 2024.
“The registration can be done through sha.go.ke, “147#, or afyangu.go.ke as per attached registration manual,” the ministry explained.
The ministry of health has also provided an online copy of the registration form on the Social Health Authority website.
“A soft copy is also available on www.sha.go.ke. For any challenges during registration please contact Social Health Authority call center on 0800720601 or [email protected],” the statement indicated.
“This is therefore to ask you to communicate this information to all parents and schools under your purview that they ensure all students are registered to Social Health Insurance Fund.”
Also Read: 17 New Benefits Introduced by SHIF That NHIF Didn’t Cover
Contributions Under SHIF
The previous Edu Afya medical scheme for students was stopped in 2023.
However, the Ministry of Health has indicated that it has allocated Ksh4.6 billion to the program, reintroducing it under SHIF
Kenyans are required to contribute 2.75 per cent of their income towards SHIF. Those without formal employment will make payment for the health insurance through a different payment system, contributing Ksh300 every month.
The Social Health Insurance Act No. 16 of 2023 was enacted on the October 19, 2023 and commenced on the November 22, 2023.
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