The Ministry of Health is set to commission the transition of Kenyans from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) from October 1st.
The transition comes after the enactment of several health laws including the Social Health Insurance (SHI) Act 2023 which established the Social Health Authority (SHA) ushering in a new era of healthcare in the country.
In a statement sent to newsrooms, Acting CEO Elijah Wachira said the move is inline with the Governments efforts to realize Universal Health Care for Kenyans.
Although the courts have declared the move as unconstitutional over the lack of public participation and disparities identified in the Social Health Insurance Act, the Government on its side defended the transition saying it is non-discriminatory.
Led by President William Ruto said the main reason for the shift from NHIF to SHIF is because NHIF is limited and that NHIF captures only a small section of the society leaving out millions of others without the ability to pay for hospital bills.
“It is my intention, as I committed to the public, that every Kenyan must have access to health and access to health insurance,” he said in July this year.
SHIF will see Kenyans pay Ksh 300 instead of Ksh500, and even those who cannot afford the Ksh 300, the Government is going to pay for them.
