Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Baraza, reassured the nation that healthcare services are now fully operational under the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA). The SHA, which recently replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), is intended to offer a more comprehensive, inclusive approach to healthcare, ensuring that all Kenyans can access essential services without financial strain.
A Critical Transition to the SHA
The Social Health Authority (SHA) represents a significant shift in the way Kenya’s healthcare system is managed and financed. This new system was developed to address some of the shortfalls experienced under the NHIF, particularly in terms of equity, efficiency, and coverage for critical health services. The SHA seeks to bridge these gaps by offering a broader range of services while simplifying access for the public. This includes covering a wider variety of essential treatments, including dialysis, cancer care, and maternal health, among others.
Dr. Baraza’s tour of Mombasa was strategically timed to review the progress made in rolling out the SHA. During her visit, she inspected various health facilities and assessed their ability to deliver services under the new authority. Her observations reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the SHA functions smoothly and that Kenyans continue to receive the care they need.
Collaboration Between County and National Health Systems
During her visit to Mombasa, Dr. Baraza acknowledged the collaboration between the county government and health professionals in facilitating the seamless transition to the SHA. She emphasized that healthcare providers in Mombasa have played a pivotal role in ensuring that critical services, such as cancer treatment and dialysis, are readily available to patients.
At the historic Mombasa Hospital, Dr. Baraza observed firsthand how the renal and oncology units are operating under the SHA framework. Established 130 years ago, the hospital has become a trusted healthcare institution in the region, serving a large population. The CS praised the hospital for its dedication to providing high-quality care, particularly to those suffering from chronic illnesses such as kidney disease and cancer. These conditions often require frequent, costly treatment, and the SHA’s coverage of these services aims to lift the financial burden off patients.
Moreover, Dr. Baraza also toured the Mombasa County Teaching and Referral Hospital, another key healthcare provider in the region. This facility has been instrumental in treating patients from across the coastal region, and under the SHA, it will continue to provide essential services such as surgery, emergency care, and specialized treatments.
The Impact of the SHA on Critical Healthcare Services
One of the primary objectives of the SHA is to enhance access to essential healthcare services, particularly for non-communicable diseases like cancer and kidney disease. These conditions often require long-term care, which can be prohibitively expensive for many Kenyan families. Under the NHIF, there were frequent delays and issues with claims processing, making it difficult for patients to get the care they needed in a timely manner. The SHA, however, has pledged to improve the efficiency of claims management, ensuring that healthcare providers are paid promptly and patients can receive treatment without interruption.
Dr. Baraza’s visit to Mombasa comes at a time when the demand for dialysis services in the region has been steadily increasing. Kidney disease, which often necessitates dialysis multiple times a week, places a significant financial burden on families. With the SHA, dialysis is fully covered, allowing patients to focus on their recovery rather than worrying about the cost of treatment. Similarly, cancer care, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, is now more accessible under the SHA, which covers these services comprehensively.
Reassuring Healthcare Providers
In addition to addressing the public, Dr. Baraza took the opportunity to meet with healthcare providers, assuring them that their services would be compensated under the SHA. This assurance is crucial, as many health facilities had previously faced delays in receiving payments for services rendered under the NHIF. These delays often led to strained relationships between healthcare providers and the fund, sometimes resulting in patients being denied services due to pending claims.
“I urge health facilities to continue serving patients without hesitation,” Dr. Baraza said. Her statement underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that healthcare providers are paid promptly for their services, which in turn will guarantee continuous, uninterrupted care for patients.
Healthcare providers in Mombasa expressed optimism about the new system, with many noting that the SHA’s streamlined approach to claims processing would likely reduce administrative bottlenecks and improve service delivery. By reducing the administrative burden on healthcare facilities, providers can focus more on patient care, ultimately improving health outcomes.
The SHA’s Broader Impact on Kenya’s Healthcare System
The establishment of the SHA is part of a broader effort by the Kenyan government to reform the healthcare system. These reforms are aimed at achieving universal health coverage (UHC), a key goal under the government’s development agenda. UHC is intended to ensure that all Kenyans, regardless of their socioeconomic status, can access essential health services without suffering financial hardship.
The SHA is designed to be more inclusive than its predecessor, with the aim of covering a larger portion of the population. Under the NHIF, many Kenyans, particularly those in the informal sector, struggled to pay the required premiums. The SHA, however, is exploring more flexible financing models to ensure that everyone can contribute to the scheme, thereby extending coverage to the entire population.
Additionally, the SHA places a stronger emphasis on preventive care. This focus on prevention, rather than solely treating illnesses once they occur, is expected to reduce the overall burden on the healthcare system in the long run. By investing in public health initiatives, such as immunization programs, health education, and screening services, the SHA hopes to improve health outcomes and reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases.
Challenges and the Way Forward
While the rollout of the SHA has been largely positive, there are still challenges that need to be addressed. Some healthcare providers have raised concerns about the transition period and the potential for temporary disruptions in service delivery. Additionally, there is a need for more public awareness about the SHA, as many Kenyans are still unaware of the new system and how it works.
Dr. Baraza acknowledged these challenges during her tour but expressed confidence that the government, in collaboration with county governments and healthcare providers, would overcome them. She emphasized that the SHA is a long-term solution to the issues that plagued the NHIF and that, over time, it would improve the accessibility and quality of healthcare in Kenya.
Moving forward, the government plans to continue monitoring the progress of the SHA’s implementation, making adjustments as necessary to ensure that it meets the needs of all Kenyans. Dr. Baraza’s tour of Mombasa is just one of many steps the Ministry of Health is taking to ensure that the SHA is successfully rolled out across the country.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Social Health Authority (SHA) marks a new chapter in Kenya’s healthcare system, one that promises to improve access to essential health services for all Kenyans. Dr. Deborah Mlongo Baraza’s tour of Mombasa County highlighted the positive impact the SHA is already having, particularly in terms of providing critical services such as dialysis and cancer care. As the SHA continues to roll out nationwide, it is expected to play a key role in achieving universal health coverage and improving health outcomes for all Kenyans.
