Members of Parliament (MPs) will on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, convene for a Kamukunji at Parliament Buildings to discuss challenges affecting the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula on Monday, December 2, 2024, stated that although the progress of the UHC programme unveiled on October 1, 2024, through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) that is administered by Social Health Authority (SHA) has been encouraging, various challenges have been reported.

Wetang’ula while communicating to the parliamentarians on the floor of the house acknowledged that several MPs had voiced concerns from their electorate regarding the problems faced in the implementation of the programme.

The speaker told the lawmakers that he had received and acceded to a request from Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Mulongo seeking to engage the MPs on various matters relating to the implementation of the UHC programme.

“Honourable members the Ministry of Health rolled out the UHC programme on October 1, 2024 and the progress has been encouraging despite a few challenges. Indeed several members of this house have voiced concerns from the electorate regarding some of the teething problems in the implementation of the programme. In this regard, I have received and acceded to a request from the Cabinet Secretary of Health seeking to engage with all honourable members of this house on various matters relating to the implementation of UHC programme,” Wetang’ula told the MPs.

Wetang’ula on NHIF-SHIF transition

In a post made via his official X account, Wetang’ula stated that CS Deborah Mulongo, along with key stakeholders in the health sector, will address the MPs and provide updates on the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

“Members of Parliament will convene for a Kamukunji on Tuesday, 3rd December 2024, at Parliament Buildings to discuss challenges affecting the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme.

“Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Mulongo, along with key stakeholders in the health sector, will address the Members, providing updates on the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). Members of the public, through their elected representatives, have expressed concerns about the initial challenges facing the implementation of the new medical scheme,” Wetang’ula stated.

Members of Parliament will convene for a Kamukunji on Tuesday, 3rd December 2024, at Parliament Buildings to discuss challenges affecting the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme.

Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Mulongo, along with key stakeholders… pic.twitter.com/LK5h9yRBuO

— Rt.Hon.Dr.Moses Wetang'ula (@HonWetangula) December 2, 2024

The new medical scheme has been facing criticism, with the government being pressed to explain why it ditched the NHIF in favour of SHIF.

Last month, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba explained why she thinks implementation of SHIF is a case of confusion.

The lawmaker pointed out that the lack of clear coordination between the national and county governments is a problem facing the SHIF implementation.