Kenyans start donating to new social health fund in February
Kenyans will be able to contribute to the new Social and Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) from next month, Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakumitya Heath said over the weekend, following a recent High Court ruling that gave the go-ahead for the fund’s implementation. Said to start.
Speaking at North Rift, the CS noted that the fund is critical to ensuring lower healthcare costs as it will ensure affordable healthcare for many Kenyans.
“We are pleased that the court has allowed us to continue implementing this program. We are on track to deliver to Kenyans what the government has promised to Kenyans,” she said. – Speaking in Kapsoir, Marakwet District.
“We are now in the public participation stage and the regulations will come into force within the next two weeks,” Nakmicha said at a weekend event.
She explained that the program will reduce the cost of accessing healthcare for many Kenyans who cannot afford it.
Also read: SHIF explanation: The new social health insurance fund is divided into three categories
“The President has promised to reduce the contribution from Sh500 to Sh300 and we are ready to do this to benefit many Kenyans. People will start donating to this fund,” CS explained.
He said, like in many countries around the world, most Kenyans are overburdened with medical conditions such as cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes, and the new fund will address this issue.
“Although the constitution guarantees health to all Kenyans, most Kenyans are being burned by these diseases. The government spends more than 30 billion lice each year on the treatment and management of these conditions. These funds can be reallocated to create jobs through affordable housing programs and other projects,” the CS explained.
The CS previously said the new regulations will address the limitations seen in the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) by prioritizing equitable access to affordable and comprehensive health services for all Kenyans. said.
SHIF is part of a comprehensive health reform package that includes the Digital Health Act, the Primary Health Care Act, and the Facilities Improvement Financing Act.
Meanwhile, the CS condemned the killing of girls and women in society and appealed to all members of society to protect them.
“Shame on those who killed our daughters. We should treat all women the same, and we should treat our daughters, sisters, and mothers too. If someone does the same thing to us, How would they feel?” she said.
She appealed to law enforcement agencies to continue taking strict action against criminal elements involved in murders in the country.
On Saturday, women, feminists, men and activists took to the streets to protest against the rising tide of femicide in the country.
The incident saw more than 16 women murdered in just one month, most by their intimate partners.