Some 1.2 million people have already registered under the new health scheme.
Speaking in Nairobi, Health Ministry Cabinet secretary, Dr Deborah Barasa urged as many people as possible to enrol in the Social Health Authority (SHA) before it rolls out on October 1 2024 countrywide.
“The registration portal was opened on July 1 2024 and so far 1.2 million households have registered, The Cs said adding that “I would therefore like to urge the public to ensure they have all registered before SHA rolls out on October 1,”
Speaking to journalists during a media meeting held at Nairobi’s Pan Afric Hotel on Wednesday, Dr Barasa urged Kenyans to continue registering through the following outlets.
“USSD Self registration by dialling the USSD code *147# or Web registration by going to SHA.go.ke, and afyayangu.go.ke
“Via assisted registration through authorised SHA agents who include community health promoters, nearest Huduma centres and SHA (previously NHIF) offices,”
The acting SHA Chief executive officer, Elijah Wachira said a total of 1.16 million Kenyans have so far registered with the USSD code *147#, which appears to be the most popular registration platform among Kenyans.
Dr Barasa said SHA will move the current National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) members to the new system.
“Ultimately, the Government is committed to providing quality affordable healthcare for all Kenyans and attainment of Universal Health Coverage as envisioned in the BETA Plan.
“The Health Ministry in collaboration with the Council of Governors, is focused on achieving the Universal Health Coverage through developing sustainable health financing reforms,comprehensive and integrated digitalisation of health care, ensuring health commodity security and availing adequate and skilled health workforce.”
The Ministry of Health, Dr Barasa assured, has put several measures in place to ensure seamless transition.
The Social Health Authority has an inclusive Board of Directors in place that continues to provide oversight.
Dr Barasa observed: “In the envisaged SHA, we have developed an expanded health benefit package that covers services across the continuum of health care including preventive, curative, palliative and rehabilitation services.
“At the same time, we have addressed health conditions that leads to catastrophic expenditure like cancer and renal care while safeguarding maternal and child health services.”
“In the spirit of equity and “leaving-no-on-behind,” all Kenyans are entitled to the same health benefit package, which was subjected to extensive public participation, was validated nationally and is due for gazettement,” added Dr Barasa.
A total of 7,876 healthcare providers have already been empanelled through Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) in readiness for SHA rollout,”.
Dr Barasa observed that in-order to assure efficiency of the Social Health Authority, minimise human interphase and eliminate the potential of fraud, the government has invested heavily in comprehensive and integrated end-to-end digitisation of health care.
“Over the last several months, the Health Ministry in collaboration with the Council of Governors and Safaricom-led consortium, has developed comprehensive and integrated systems which will enable registration of Kenyans as members of SHA, interconnect all health facilities in the country, the Social Health Authority and KEMSA through the Health Information exchange which we commonly refer to as the “Digital health superhighway,” Dr Barasa added.
