NAIROBI, Kenya- The national government has allocated Sh8.6 billion to facilitate the transition of 7,789 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers to permanent and pensionable terms.
The transition was among key issues discussed during a special session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC), chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and attended by governors.
The allocation includes statutory employer contributions and follows a directive by President William Ruto to move the UHC workers to permanent and pensionable terms.
The meeting also reviewed the remittance of Social Health Authority (SHA) contributions by county governments and the settlement of claims owed to healthcare providers.
According to the update, 78 per cent of healthcare provider claims across the 47 counties have been settled, amounting to Sh159.3 billion.
The meeting further considered outstanding obligations inherited from the former National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Reconciliation and sign-off of claims amounting to Sh10 million and below per facility has been completed for 3,526 healthcare facilities.
Of these facilities, 3,058 have been paid a total of Sh3.63 billion.
The government and county administrations also discussed the proposed change to the deadline for county remittances to SHA.
The proposal would move the deadline from the 9th to the 25th of every month, although the change has not yet been formalised or gazetted.
The national government said it is working with the National Treasury to finalise a proposed memorandum of understanding on the arrangement while addressing its legal, administrative and systems implications.
The discussions come as the government continues implementing its Taifa Care healthcare programme, with the national and county governments responsible for different aspects of healthcare financing and service delivery.
The government said continued cooperation between the two levels of government would be necessary to protect health workers, ensure predictable financing and settle legitimate claims owed to healthcare providers.
The transition of the 7,789 workers to permanent and pensionable terms is expected to provide them with more secure employment terms while ensuring continuity of healthcare services in counties.
The government has also linked the reforms to efforts to strengthen healthcare financing and improve access to medical services across the country.
