What Ruto's new Health laws means for Kenyans

President William Ruto on Thursday signed into law four Universal Health Coverage Bills which the government says will ensure Kenyans access quality healthcare in an efficient, affordable and non-discriminatory manner.

The four laws the president assented to in the ceremony at State House, Nairobi include the Primary Health Care Act, 2023, the Digital Health Act, 2023, the Facility Improvement Financing Act, 2023 and the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023.

The Acts will provide the necessary legal and institutional framework for the successful rollout of Universal Health Coverage.

“These laws will transform healthcare in Kenya; they will save lives, empower communities and make us a stronger and healthier nation,” said Ruto.

Service delivery

The President said the Acts will complement the Community Health Policy and Primary Health Care and Health Financing Strategies, putting an end to challenges in healthcare service delivery.

The Social Health Insurance Act repeals the current National Health Insurance Fund and establishes three new funds.

These are the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.

The Head of State said the Primary Healthcare Fund will purchase services from health facilities at levels 1 to 3 while the Social Hefulfilsurance Fund will cover services at levels 4 to 6.

Ruto said the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund will handle emergency and chronic illness costs once social health insurance is depleted.

“This fulfils the express wishes of Article 43 (2) of the Constitution, which provides that no Kenyan should be denied emergency medical treatment,” he said.

The Facility Improvement Financing Act addresses underfunding in public health facilities, while the Digital Health Act streamlines technology adoption to enhance data sharing and resource utilization.