The implementation of the 2.75 per cent Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) deductions, commencing this month, is poised to bring significant changes to established healthcare programs such as EduAfya and Linda Mama.
Replacing NHIF
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has announced that SHIF will supersede the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), heralding a new era of accountability in healthcare financing.
Under the Social Health Insurance (General) Regulations, 2024, NHIF will be dissolved, making way for three distinct funds: the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund.
Nakhumicha elucidates that the Primary Healthcare Fund will cater to services at Levels 1 through 3 hospitals, while the Social Health Insurance Fund will extend coverage to Levels 4 through 6. The Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund will offer assistance once social health insurance resources are depleted.
Transition from EduAfya
The government's decision to discontinue the EduAfya program's insurance cover for learners has prompted a reallocation of resources. The funds previously allocated to EduAfya, amounting to Sh4.6 billion, will now bolster the Primary Healthcare Fund, ensuring comprehensive coverage for students and their families.
EduAfya, initiated in May 2018 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, provided medical coverage for learners in public secondary schools. However, its discontinuation aligns with the government's strategy to consolidate healthcare coverage under household units.
Transformation of Linda Mama
The renowned free maternity initiative, Linda Mama, established by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2016, undergoes a transformation under SHIF. Initially operated under NHIF, the program is now integrated into the broader scope of SHIF, encompassing maternal and child health services.
Moreover, SHIF extends its coverage to a myriad of services beyond maternal care, including screening, mental health support, rehabilitation, diagnostic procedures, surgeries, and emergency services.
The integration of Linda Mama services into SHIF reflects the government's commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility and quality across the nation, ensuring comprehensive coverage for all citizens.