Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has come out to explain the rreason behind the Social Health Insurance Fund registration.
Speaking during a tour of Nairobi County hospitals on March 19, Nakhumicha said that the registration for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) will commence after a national launch.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the national launch will be spearheaded by President William Ruto, who is also expected to announce the commencement of the registration exercise officially.
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“We are going to have a national launch and the communication is going to be from the top most. The President will communicate when we will start the registrations from that national launch.”
The CS also added that the government will employ various communication strategises to ensure that all kenyans are aware and no kenyan is left behind in the registration.
“We shall also use the chiefs and the national administrators to communicate to kenyans prior to the registration exercise.”
Nakhumicha has also assured Kenyans of continued access to healthcare noting that the transition from National Hospital Insurance Fund to Social Health Insurance Fund will be smooth.
She acknowledged that there were still outstanding bills owed to various hospitals in the country, adding that the Treasury would release Ksh1 billion to sort out the outstanding payments owed by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
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However, salary deductions for the new insurance cover are expected to be effected this month. Employed Kenyans will contribute 2.75 per cent of their gross pay towards SHIF while unemployed Kenyans above 25 years old will be making monthly contributions of Ksh300.
Even though private hospitals announced cease to use NHIF due to pending bills, the CS said that public hospitals are still using NHIF till full transition.