Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has urged Kenyans to enroll in large numbers under the new Social Health Authority (SHA) to ensure they benefit from universal health coverage. Speaking at a fundraising event for Harhosa Mixed Day Secondary School at Moyale Baraza Park in Marsabit County, he highlighted the importance of the new system in making healthcare more accessible to all citizens.
Hon. Duale emphasized that the SHA system offers a significant improvement over the previous National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). While the NHIF was primarily designed to cover employed individuals, the SHA is designed to include all Kenyans, regardless of their employment status. This shift marks a major step forward in ensuring that every citizen has access to affordable healthcare services, a goal that has long been pursued by the government. The new system promises to be more inclusive and effective in reaching out to vulnerable populations that were previously excluded or had limited access to NHIF benefits.
One of the key features of the SHA system is its provision for individuals to register multiple dependents, including up to four wives and an unlimited number of children, provided they can prove dependency. This provision reflects the diverse family structures within Kenyan society, offering greater flexibility for citizens to access health coverage for their families. According to Duale, the ability to register multiple wives and dependents under the SHA system ensures that no one is left behind, making it easier for individuals to seek the healthcare they need without worrying about the limitations that may have existed under the old system.
Hon. Duale stressed that the SHA is designed to provide comprehensive coverage for all Kenyans, offering a range of healthcare services that will meet the needs of individuals across the country. This includes preventive services, maternal and child health, treatment for chronic diseases, and emergency care, among others. The goal is to create a healthcare system where financial barriers are removed, enabling Kenyans to seek medical attention when needed without the fear of crippling costs.
The Cabinet Secretary also took the opportunity to address critics of the SHA reforms. He described those opposing the new system as members of cartels who had previously exploited loopholes in the NHIF system for fraudulent purposes. According to Duale, these cartels had taken advantage of weaknesses in the previous model to enrich themselves at the expense of ordinary Kenyans, undermining the integrity of the healthcare system. The SHA, he argued, is a crucial step towards dismantling these cartels and ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed towards the healthcare of everyday Kenyans.
By offering a more inclusive and equitable approach to health insurance, the SHA is expected to reduce disparities in healthcare access and improve health outcomes across the country. Hon. Duale called on Kenyans to embrace the new system and register as soon as possible to ensure they benefit from the comprehensive coverage it provides. He stressed that the government is committed to ensuring that healthcare becomes a right, not a privilege, and that every Kenyan, regardless of their economic status, has the opportunity to live a healthy life.
The introduction of the SHA is seen as a milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen the healthcare system and promote social equity. As the program rolls out, it is expected to make significant strides in improving the health and well-being of the population, contributing to the overall development of the country.
