On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, the government officially activated the Social Health Authority (SHA), phasing out the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
SHA is designed to provide healthcare services from empanelled and contracted healthcare providers and healthcare facilities on referral from primary health facilities.
Every person residing in Kenya is required to apply for registration to SHA, with specific provisions for children who lack identification documents.
The fund covers integrated preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative health services provided at level 4, 5, and 6 health facilities.
On the opening day, the Ministry of Health reported that 12.5 million Kenyans have successfully been enrolled to SHA, while 9.9 million Kenyans also successfully transitioned from NHIF to SHA.
Speaking after the activation, Health Principal Secretary, Mr Harry Kimtai, directed all healthcare providers and facilities to ensure that services for SHA members remain uninterrupted.
“Following the successful national rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA) on October 1st, 2024, the Ministry of Health directs all healthcare providers and facilities to ensure that services for SHA members remain uninterrupted,” Mr Kimtai stated. “The Ministry is committed to supporting healthcare providers in maintaining seamless operations, ensuring patients continue to receive the care they need during this transition.”
To support healthcare providers and address any operational concerns, the Ministry of Health took the following three steps to ensure a smooth transition to the new healthcare insurance:
- Immediate clarification of service levels and contracts to ensure smooth transitions and continued service delivery.
- Strengthened public communication through social media and the SHA website to address frequently asked questions on topics such as member registration, dependents, and access to services
- Close collaboration with hospitals to ensure that all patients, including those scheduled for surgeries, receive uninterrupted care.
Contracts under the SHA
According to Mr Kimtai, the PS for Health, the government has received positive response from healthcare facilities, with many already signing contracts under the SHA’s Healthcare Provider (HCP) provisions.
“Hospitals are urged to continue offering services in line with these agreements, ensuring no patient is turned away and that essential treatments such as kidney dialysis, cancer care, and maternity service remain fully accessible,” he said.
Mr Kimtai says any challenges that arise will be addressed promptly, encouraging open communication to ensure smooth collaboration between facilities and the ministry.
Read: How To Register For SHA
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