Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has revealed that at least 860,000 Kenyans have registered with the new Social Health Authority (SHA) as of September 3, 2024.
In a statement, Mwaura said that at least 9,792 health facilities, including 2,008 public and 7,784 private and faith-based facilities have been licenced to operate under the new health insurance scheme.
“As of September 3, 2024, 861,101 Kenyans had registered with SHA, and 9,792 health facilities, including 2,008 public and 7,784 private and faith-based facilities, were licensed with KMPDC. Draft contracts with healthcare providers have been finalized, and the government is now focused on public awareness and education regarding the transition from NHIF to SHA, with healthcare provider engagement to begin once tariffs are gazetted,” Mwaura stated.
According to Mwaura, all civil servants are expected to be registered by October 1, 2024, with the Ministry of Education expected to support student registration, while the Ministry of the Interior will facilitate the rollout through its National Government Administrative Offices (NGAOs) network.
The requirement to register with SHA follows the enactment of the Social Health Insurance Act, which repeals the existing National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), established back in 1998, and replaces it with the Social Health Fund (SHIF).
“The Act provides for strategic purchasing of health services under three thematic funds, including the Primary Health Care Fund, Social Health Insurance Fund, and Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund, attracting mandatory contributions and public funding models,” Mwaura stated.
“Under the Primary Healthcare Fund, government funding will apply, and benefits will be accessible to all registered members of SHA, while SHIF requires individuals to contribute premiums, with benefits available only to paid-up members. On the other hand, the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund will also be financed through government funding and will be accessible to all upon exhaustion of SHIF. Accident and emergency services will be accessible to all Kenyan residents.”
New SHA scheme
In the new scheme managed by SHA, salaried employees in the formal sector will channel their contributions through their employers at a rate of 2.75 per cent of an individual’s gross salary, while non-salaried individuals in the informal sector will also contribute 2.75 per cent of their incomes, as determined by means testing.
The national and county governments will pay the insurance premiums for the poor, prisoners/those in custody, and vulnerable populations through social protection, as determined by means testing.
“The shift from NHIF to SHIF introduces enhanced benefits such as full digitization, biometric verification, independent accreditation, an expanded benefits package, reduced monthly premiums from Ksh500 to Ksh300, fair contributions for all sectors, universal coverage, emergency care, and government support for the very poor and severely disabled as outlined in the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2003, with SHA card access to all health facilities including public, private, and faith-based organizations,” Mwaura added.
