CS Muturi directs all Huduma Centres to create SHIF desks for easier access to healthcare information
By Maureen Kinyanjui |
This initiative is expected to resolve the confusion surrounding SHIF and the Social Health Authority (SHA), providing an easily accessible point for Kenyans to get information and register for the health insurance programme.
In a move aimed at improving public access to information on the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management Cabinet Secretary (CS) Justin Muturi has directed all Huduma Centres across Kenya to establish dedicated SHIF desks.
This initiative is expected to resolve the confusion surrounding SHIF and the Social Health Authority (SHA), providing an easily accessible point for Kenyans to get information and register for the health insurance programme.
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"I recognise that there has been confusion around SHIF and the Social Health Authority (SHA). To bridge this gap, I have directed that all Huduma Centres across the country establish SHIF desks, ensuring every Kenyan can easily access information and register for this transformative program," CS Muturi said on Monday.
The directive comes as part of ongoing efforts to streamline the country's health insurance system and support the rollout of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
During a visit to the Kapsabet Huduma Centre in Nandi County, Muturi highlighted the operational SHIF desk there as a model for other centres.
The desk has been set up to offer guidance and registration services, helping residents understand the new health insurance scheme.
Public Service CS Justin Muturi interacts with wananchi during a visit to a Huduma Centre in Eldoret on December 2, 2024. (Photo: X/Justin Muturi)
"Affordable healthcare, under Universal Health Coverage, was a cornerstone of Kenya Kwanza's manifesto during the 2022 campaigns, and we are committed to fulfilling this promise," CS Muturi stated.
Pleased with the proactive approach at Kapsabet Huduma Centre, where the SHIF desk is already serving the community, the CS praised the centre's staff for their dedication to providing quality service.
"I commend the hardworking staff at Kapsabet Huduma Centre for their dedication to quality service. While challenges remain, we are committed to addressing them and improving public service delivery for all Kenyans," he said.
This initiative comes amid ongoing challenges in the rollout of the new health scheme, which has faced complaints from several Kenyans regarding accessibility and registration issues. Despite these challenges, the Ministry of Health has made progress.
As of November 28, 2024, over 15.5 million Kenyans had registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA), the body responsible for managing the SHIF.
According to Wambugu Kariuki, the South Rift Regional Manager for SHA, 9.75 million of these registrations were voluntary.
Among these, 3.6 million registrants are between the ages of 18 and 35, 3.33 million are aged 36 to 55, and over 1.37 million are above 55 years old.
Additionally, 1.45 million registrants are children under 18. The remaining 5.8 million were migrated from the now-defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
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