5.6 Million Kenyans Transited To SHA, 11 Million New Members Registered
The Mt Kenya Times 
President William Ruto
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- The President also noted that 107,000 Community Health Workers (CHW) were playing a critical role in these endeavors.
- The Social Health Authority (SHA) consists of three key components-Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), Primary Healthcare Fund and Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.
- When the President delivered the State of Nation Address to a joint sitting of parliament, he had also minced no word in enumerating the benefits of SHA.
- He rightly termed the rollout of Social Health Authority (SHA) and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) as a game changer. Some teething problems have however been highlightened. Though this is normal in any transition, we are working round the clock to fix them.
During the Jumhuri Day celebration, President William Ruto released the updated data showing the number of Kenyans who have registered with newly inaugurated Social Health Authority (SHA).
5.6 million Kenyans transited to SHA and 11 million new members have been registered.
The President noted that Kenyans are registering on their own volition.
The mass registration is therefore a clear testimony that Kenyans have trust and faith in the reforms we have so far undertaken in health sector.
During the campaigns, I promised you that I will rollout Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This is no longer a dream but it is a reality.
The President also noted that 107,000 Community Health Workers (CHW) were playing a critical role in these endeavors.
The Social Health Authority (SHA) consists of three key components-Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), Primary Healthcare Fund and Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.
When the President delivered the State of Nation Address to a joint sitting of parliament, he had also minced no word in enumerating the benefits of SHA.
He rightly termed the rollout of Social Health Authority (SHA) and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) as a game changer. Some teething problems have however been highlightened. Though this is normal in any transition, we are working round the clock to fix them.
The Ministry of Health and I are leading these efforts.
The President asked Kenyans to ignore his critics who were out to politicize this noble programme and instead see the bigger picture.
SHA is now working and its benefits surpass those offered by defunct NHIF by far.
At President disclosed that 15 million Kenyans have so far transited and enrolled as members of Taifa Care.
For the first time in Kenya’s history, all Kenyans are entitled to each get a comprehensive medical cover. This cover is catering for medical expenses of both inpatient and outpatient in public and private hospitals that have signed contracts 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 asked them to starting visiting Level-Five and Level-Six hospitals
For instance, in Makueni Level-5 hospital a number of patients suffering from cancer were admitted there.
The records prepared by Oncology department showed that SHA apart ensuring they were getting quality treatment was paying the entire medical bills for them. Some had recovered and were waiting for the doctors to approve their discharge.
The patients interviewed were upbeat about SHA.
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.
To me, this story had been cooked and reeked of sheer/cheap propaganda and rumors.
By disclosing the name of patient to show he hailed from Kalenjin community, this left no doubt the station was amplifying 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 patient 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.
It is worth noting this TV station aired the story at a time when doctors at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) had conducted kidney transplant surgeries. SHA paid the entire medical bills for the patients and donors.
One would have expected the reporters of this station to visit and interview this patient and other patients admitted in other hospitals.
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 campaigns.
SHA/SHIF are created by an Act of Parliament. Registration is free
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.
Notably, the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) 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
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