Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Deborah Barasa has intensified the campaign for Social Health Authority (SHA) registration in Trans Nzoia County. This initiative comes as part of the government’s broader efforts to ensure that all Kenyans are registered with SHA, facilitating their access to qualified and affordable healthcare services.
During her visit to Trans Nzoia, CS Barasa emphasized the importance of SHA in achieving President William Ruto’s vision of universal health coverage for all citizens. The government is keen on addressing long-standing health challenges that have hindered equitable access to quality care across the country. “President Ruto has prioritized matters healthcare and given firm instructions that all Kenyans should be registered with SHA so that they easily access qualified healthcare,” Barasa stated.
Accompanied by County Governor George Natembeya, the CS outlined the steps her ministry is taking to ensure a comprehensive and effective registration process. Starting next month, the government, in partnership with county leadership, health workers, and community health promoters, will embark on a massive registration campaign aimed at enrolling as many citizens as possible into the SHA. A 30-day registration drive will be launched in the middle of next month, which will cover not only Trans Nzoia but other regions as well.
To maximize reach, the Ministry of Health is rolling out an extensive public sensitization campaign to educate the public on the benefits of SHA. “We are working with the county leadership, MCAs, and Community Health Promoters to register as many Kenyans as possible for SHA,” Dr. Barasa confirmed. This collaboration is seen as crucial for overcoming the challenges posed by limited awareness about SHA and its role in improving access to healthcare.
The SHA registration drive aligns with President Ruto’s broader healthcare agenda, which is focused on streamlining healthcare systems and ensuring that all Kenyans, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographical location, have access to quality healthcare. Dr. Barasa reiterated the government’s commitment to overcoming challenges that have plagued the healthcare sector in Kenya. She assured the public that, despite some hurdles, all SHA programs are functioning smoothly, and plans for further improvements are underway. “We are not looking back because we know SHA is the solution to the challenges we have been having as a country in healthcare matters,” she affirmed.
In a bid to further bolster the county’s healthcare infrastructure, CS Barasa also pledged Ksh 50 million for the equipping of Kijana Wamalwa Referral Hospital. This allocation is aimed at enhancing the hospital’s capacity to offer specialized services, including expanding its regional laboratory, eye unit, and cancer center services. Governor Natembeya shared the county’s vision of improving healthcare services, including the renovation of the Trans Nzoia Level 4 Hospital, which will decentralize some services currently being offered at the referral hospital.
The collaboration between the national and county governments in improving healthcare is a welcome move for local residents. Governor Natembeya expressed his gratitude for the national government’s support and reiterated Trans Nzoia’s commitment to ensuring that its people have access to the best possible healthcare services. “As a county, we are equally keen to ensure our people enjoy access to quality healthcare, and we are happy to partner with the national government in the SHA roll-out,” he said.
CS Barasa’s visit to Trans Nzoia and her engagement with county leaders and health officials marks a significant step toward the realization of universal health coverage in Kenya. With the SHA registration campaign gaining momentum, it is expected that more Kenyans will benefit from a health system that is both inclusive and accessible, thus ensuring that every citizen has the opportunity to live a healthy life.
