NAIROBI, Kenya – More than 18.2 million Kenyans have registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA), the Ministry of Health has announced, marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The SHA replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) as part of reforms to establish a more inclusive and equitable healthcare financing model.
Under the transition, 4.6 million Kenyans moved from NHIF to SHA but must update their profiles to ensure seamless access to health services.
In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry highlighted key progress and challenges in the program’s rollout.
The ministry noted fewer registrations over weekends, attributed to many Kenyans registering only during visits to health facilities.
Officials stressed the importance of proactive enrollment, particularly for dependents, to avoid delays in accessing care.
“We stress the critical need for principal beneficiaries to register their dependents to ensure full family coverage under SHA. Efforts are being intensified through CHPs and community engagement programs to raise awareness and encourage timely action,” the ministry said.
𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚’𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝟏𝟖.𝟐 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐇𝐂 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢, 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 – The Social Health Authority (SHA) has reached a significant milestone, surpassing 18.2…
The Health Information Exchange, fully deployed as of December 2024, is already transforming healthcare services under the UHC program.
The system integrates patient records across health facilities, enhancing efficiency and continuity of care. Components include a Client Registry, Health Care Provider Registry, and Health Facility Registry.
This initiative aims to streamline operations and improve outcomes for patients, particularly as the SHA continues to onboard healthcare providers.
Currently, 8,722 facilities—54pc of active nationwide—are enrolled in the scheme.
Currently, 2.5 million Kenyans have undergone means-testing to determine contribution levels with the help of Community Health Promoters (CHPs).
The ministry lauded CHPs for their pivotal role in mobilizing communities and assisting with SHA registration.
The SHA was established under the Social Health Insurance Act of 2023, replacing the NHIF to accommodate a broader range of Kenyans, including informal workers and vulnerable groups who were previously underserved.
The program introduced a tiered contribution model based on income levels, ensuring affordability and accessibility for all citizens.
The ministry emphasized that registration is mandatory for all Kenyans, residents living in the country for over a year, and newborns born after the commencement of the Act.
Compliance with registration and contribution requirements is also a prerequisite for accessing government services.
SHA benefits extend to contributors, their spouses, dependents under 21, students under 25 in full-time education, and persons with disabilities reliant on the contributor.
The ministry urged Kenyans to embrace the scheme fully, highlighting its potential to transform healthcare access and equity nationwide.
“This transition represents a critical step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage and ensuring no Kenyan is left behind,” the statement concluded.
