16 million Kenyans Have Registered With SHA

By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga

Worth Noting:

• I had a few days earlier written an article in this column focusing on the same topic. These were my observations. Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) is  making a big difference. For the first time in our history, all Kenyans are  entitled to each get a comprehensive medical cover. This cover has been catering for medical expenses of both inpatient and outpatient in public and private hospitals that have signed contract with SHA.
• Contrary to the impression created, the biggest beneficiaries are those suffering from critical/chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetic and high blood pressure.
• For Doubting Thomases and critics of President William Ruto, I wish to refer them to Makueni Level-Five Hospital.

A few days ago, President delivered the State of Nation address to a joint sitting of parliament. This is in line with Article 132 (1) of the constitution which required him to address the house once every year and may address parliament at any other time.

The President took this opportunity to enumerate his government’s achievements, the work in progress and challenges.

He cited the rollout of Social Health Authority (SHA) and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) as a game changer. Yes, some teething problems have been highlightened.  The  normal in any transition but we are working very hard to fix them. Kenyans should see the big picture.

The President disclosed that 16 million Kenyans have so far registered with SHA.

I had a few days earlier written an article in this column focusing on the same topic.  These were my observations. Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) is  making a big difference. For the first time in our history, all Kenyans are  entitled to each get a comprehensive medical cover. This cover has been catering for medical expenses of both inpatient and outpatient in public and private hospitals that have signed contract with SHA.

Contrary to the impression created, the biggest beneficiaries are those suffering from critical/chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetic and high blood pressure.

For Doubting Thomases and critics of President William Ruto, I wish to refer them to Makueni Level-Five Hospital.

There were a number of patients suffering from cancer who were currently being admitted there.

The medical reports prepared by the Oncology department show that they were responding well to treatment. Some had recovered and were  waiting for the doctors to  approve their discharge.

The patients interviewed were upbeat about the services offered by SHA.

Since SHA came, things have changed for better. SHA through Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) is not only  paying our bills but also ensuring we are getting quality treatment.

Makueni hospital is just one of the success stories. SHA is making a difference in many hospitals across the country.

These success stories came  in the wake of the recent media campaign apparently sponsored by those opposed to SHA/SHIF.

One of the station showed an image of an old man, who is battling a chronic terminal ailment, and narrated his story.

It alleged that the man had gone for days without taking drugs and receiving critical treatment.

This is because his family did not have the cash for these services.

This TV station wanted Kenyans to believe that his woes started soon after the government rolled out  Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Before, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) cover was allegedly catering for his medical expenses.

To me, this story had been cooked and reeked of sheer/cheap propaganda and rumors.

By showing the images of this man and disclosing his name to show he hailed from Kalenjin community, this left no doubt the station was championing the narrative of the critics of President William Ruto.

One would have expected this station to carry out investigations on this matter before airing the story.

For instance, visiting the hospital where this mzee was treated and find out.

First,  why he was discharged? Secondly, did he have a medical cover? Had his personal data been successfully transferred to SHIF? Had that hospital signed a contract with SHA?

Notably, Social Health Authority (SHA) and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) are key pillars of UHC.

In a simple language, the two are the main houses.

Since the transition to SHA, we have had a number of successful stories on patients suffering from critical/illnesses receiving proper and quality treatment and their medical bills cleared by SHIF fund.

Just two days ago, doctors at Kenyatta National  Hospital (KNH) conducted a delicate surgery of kidney transplant. The patient is now recuperating and SHIF is  catering for all needs of this patient via its numerous packages.

If iNooro TV, one of the stations under Royal Media Service (RMS) means well, one would have expected its reporters to visit this  patient and other patients admitted in other hospitals who were  benefiting from  SHA.

Consequently, the station should have aired these as success stories.

I’m sure many would agree with me that the rollout of SHA revolutionizes healthcare in Kenya.

This confirms President William Ruto is delivering on the promises he made during the campaign.

Ensuring that Kenyans access affordable and quality healthcare stood out as one of his top priorities.

When presiding over the launch of UHC, Health Cabinet Secretary Dr Debra Barasa minced no word in congratulating President Ruto for keeping his word.

Dr Debra later admitted that the transition has been encountering some teething problems but as a Ministry we are not leaving anything to chance in addressing them.

SHA/SHIF are created by an Act of Parliament.  Kenyans are now required to register as members of SHIF.

Under SHIF, the monthly payment is not pegged on a flat rate. The deductions from the payslips of those in  formal employment is high. The rates for the  poor and vulnerable Kenyans now ranges from Sh300 and Sh500. The government will pay monthly bills for the elderly and those with severe disabilities.

Unlike the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) which only catered for bed expenses for the in-patients, the new SHIF card is all-inclusive.

It is worth noting that the previous governments of President Mwai Kibaki and his successor Uhuru Kenyatta shared a similar dream. But they had made very little progress by the time each completed his two-five-year constitutional terms.

The critics of President Ruto are envious of this success. This is because they know SHA will shape up his legacy in a big way. Their efforts to sabotage this noble course have continued to hit a dead end. This is because majority of Kenyans fully support the President.

Joseph Mutua Ndonga Is A Writer And Social Commentator