Kenyans working in the informal sector can breathe a sigh of relief as the Social Health Authority (SHA) shifts its health insurance contribution model from an annual to a more manageable monthly payment system. This adjustment is expected to ease the financial burden on individuals who often struggle to make large lump-sum payments.
At a roundtable discussion with journalists, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Dr. Deborah Barasa, reassured Kenyans of the government’s commitment to providing inclusive healthcare coverage. “The ultimate goal is to ensure all Kenyans can afford access to affordable and quality healthcare,” she said. “While the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) primarily focused on the employed, our aim with SHA is to extend health products and services to the last individual. We are using digital health as an enabler, and the SHA will ensure coverage from primary to the highest levels of care. This is only the beginning, as we strive to deliver quality care to Kenyans.”
The SHA’s shift to monthly contributions addresses a significant barrier faced by many in the informal sector who have unpredictable or low incomes. Dr. Samson Kuhora, the head of Benefits Design at SHA, highlighted that the organization has implemented flexible options to accommodate these financial realities.
“For the informal sector, we recognize that earnings can be low, and thus calculating contributions accordingly is essential,” Dr. Kuhora explained. “We’ve now enabled monthly payments, as we’re aware that many households cannot afford the larger annual sum that was previously required. With the new platform, members can select either an annual or a monthly payment option, bridging the gap for those who may struggle with the full yearly amount.”
In addition to the monthly contribution plan, SHA is exploring other support mechanisms to make healthcare more accessible to vulnerable populations. Insurance premium financing, for instance, is one solution under consideration, designed to assist individuals who cannot afford the total premium amount upfront.
In the rollout’s early stages, SHA encountered various challenges, including accessibility issues and user-friendliness of the platform. However, Dr. Kuhora confirmed that improvements have been made, addressing these barriers in response to feedback. “Initially, local access and ease of use were concerns, but we have worked to resolve these over the last few weeks. So far, around 13,000 members have registered on the platform, and the average estimated premium is about 543 shillings per household per month,” he stated.
The SHA’s monthly contribution model, combined with ongoing refinements to the program, reflects the government’s commitment to a more inclusive and accessible healthcare system, benefitting Kenyans from all walks of life.
