Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has assured Kenyans that the government is actively addressing challenges associated with the rollout of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHA), also known as Taifa Care. Speaking during a visit to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kindiki emphasized that most of the initial hurdles encountered in transitioning from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA have already been resolved.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring a seamless transition to the new health insurance scheme, which aims to provide universal healthcare access to all Kenyans. “While most of the teething problems have been resolved, the government is streamlining all outstanding issues to ensure that hospitals provide services in an efficient and timely manner,” the Deputy President stated.
Kindiki noted that 17 million Kenyans are now registered under Taifa Care, signaling significant progress in expanding access to health coverage. He acknowledged, however, that some areas still require attention to ensure smooth service delivery.
The Deputy President’s visit to the country’s premier referral hospital was aimed at assessing the implementation of the scheme and engaging with both patients and healthcare workers. The discussions during the tour highlighted areas needing improvement, including the timely reimbursement of funds to hospitals and ensuring adequate supplies of medical equipment and essential drugs.
Healthcare workers also voiced concerns over system inefficiencies and the need for enhanced training on SHA’s operational framework. Kindiki reassured them that the government would address these challenges swiftly to avoid any disruption in healthcare services.
The Taifa Care initiative is a flagship program under the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. By replacing NHIF, the government seeks to make healthcare more affordable and accessible, particularly for vulnerable populations.
As implementation continues, Kenyans are optimistic that the government’s resolve to tackle these challenges will result in better healthcare outcomes. Kindiki reiterated the administration’s commitment to building a healthcare system that meets the needs of all citizens, emphasizing that no Kenyan should be left behind in accessing quality medical services.
