As the third term approaches, the Ministry of Education has issued a crucial reminder for parents to enroll their school-going children into the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). This mandate follows the enactment of the Social Health Insurance Act on October 19, 2023, which came into effect on November 22, 2023. The new health insurance scheme is set to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and is a significant step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage in Kenya.
Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang has emphasized the importance of registering students as dependents of their parents before the commencement of the third term. “Registration of all Kenyans to the Social Health Insurance Fund began on July 1, 2024, as a key enabler towards the realization of our Universal Health Coverage. All schoolchildren are therefore required to register as dependents of their parents before the school opening dates for the third term 2024,” Kipsang stated.
This new directive comes in response to the discontinuation of the EduAfya insurance scheme, which provided health coverage to schoolchildren. The government’s decision to terminate the Sh4.5 billion EduAfya program left over 3.4 million learners without health protection. This gap in coverage prompted the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association to advocate for the continuity of health insurance for students. The introduction of SHIF aims to address these concerns and offer a more comprehensive healthcare solution.
The SHIF registration process is designed to be accessible and user-friendly. Parents can complete the registration online via the official websites WWW.sha.go.ke or WWW.afyangua.go.ke, or by using the USSD code *147#. For any challenges encountered during registration, parents are advised to contact the Social Health Authority’s call center at 0800720601 or via email at info@sha.go.ke.
Social Health Authority chairman Timothy Olweny has defended the Social Health Insurance Act, asserting that it will address the shortcomings of the NHIF. He highlighted that the SHIF will offer additional services not previously covered by NHIF, providing a broader range of healthcare options. “The Social Health Insurance Fund is designed to fulfill the government’s mandate of providing affordable primary healthcare and emergency health services. It will fill the gaps left by the NHIF and ensure that all Kenyans, including students, have access to essential health services,” Olweny explained.
The introduction of SHIF marks a significant shift in Kenya’s healthcare landscape, particularly for schoolchildren who previously relied on EduAfya. The new fund is expected to offer enhanced coverage, including additional services that address specific health needs of students. This transition is part of a broader effort to improve healthcare accessibility and quality across the country, ensuring that all citizens, especially vulnerable groups like schoolchildren, receive adequate protection and care.
Parents are urged to act promptly to ensure their children are registered before the third term begins. Failure to register could result in a lapse in health coverage, leaving students without essential medical support. The government’s push for timely registration underscores the importance of this new health insurance scheme and its role in safeguarding the health of Kenya’s future generations.
In summary, the rollout of the Social Health Insurance Fund represents a pivotal advancement in Kenya’s journey towards universal health coverage. By replacing the NHIF and addressing its shortcomings, SHIF aims to provide more comprehensive and accessible health insurance for all Kenyans, starting with the nation’s schoolchildren. Parents should seize this opportunity to register their children and ensure uninterrupted health coverage as the new term approaches.
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