Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has outlined the reasons behind the government’s decision to replace the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) with the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Mwaura addressed public concerns regarding the shift in the national health insurance system. He highlighted several shortcomings of the NHIF, explaining how the new SHA model is designed to address these issues and improve healthcare services.
“Sustainable financing has been a challenge under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which primarily relies on contributions from employed individuals. This focus has hindered broader health financing, which is essential for providing equitable healthcare services to all Kenyans.
“To address the challenges, the government established the Social Health Authority (SHA). The SHA aims to include all adult Kenyans in contributing to a sustainable fund that covers a wider range of health services,” Mwaura said.
According to Mwaura, the Social Health Authority (SHA) will also guarantee that every citizen has access to healthcare. He emphasized that the new system is structured to provide more inclusive coverage, ensuring that no one is left without medical care.
“Unlike NHIF, which mostly required additional community fundraising efforts, SHA ensures that every citizen can access quality healthcare through enhanced government financing.
“These are possible through the newly introduced legal frameworks aimed at facilitating the transition to Univemal Health Care. The framework includes the Primary Healthcare Act, the Social Health Insurance Act, and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Act,” he continued.
“This shift from NHIF to SHA aims to provide comprehensive, quality, and equitable healthcare for all Kenyans, including those in the informal employment sector. Through the engagement of Community Health Promoters (CHPs), SHA envisions a system in which preventive and promotive healthcare services work towards early diagnosis and treatment, further lessening the disease burden,” he concluded.
