Health Cabinet Secretary Calls for Public Participation on New NHIF Bills
“under the new bill, there will be no charges in level two and three facilities. Individuals without substantial employment will only be required to contribute 300 shillings, a reduction from the current 500 shillings,”
Health CS Susan Nakhumicha addressing the Media in Trans Nzoia
Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary, Susan Nakhumicha, has called upon the public to actively participate in sharing their opinions on the newly proposed NHIF bills. These bills aim to restructure the health insurance fund into four distinct entities.
Addressing the community at Mitume Catholic Church in Trans Nzoia county, Nakhumicha emphasized her ministry’s commitment to ensuring that all Kenyans have access to high-quality healthcare services, including free services at both level two and three facilities.
“Informative moments for my fellow Trans Nzoians; under the new bill, there will be no charges in level two and three facilities. Individuals without substantial employment will only be required to contribute 300 shillings, a reduction from the current 500 shillings,” stated Nakhumicha.
The bills currently open for public input include the Primary Health Care Act 2023, outlining the construction of community health facilities for each group of 5,000 citizens at grassroots levels. Other bills encompass the Social Health Insurance Act 2023, the Digital Health Act 2023, and the Facilities Improvement Financing Act 2023, effectively dividing the original fund into four entities.
Nakhumicha dispelled notions of the government overtaxing citizens, asserting that the legal adjustments aim to promote equity. Contributions have been capped at 2.75 percent of the gross monthly pay, resulting in a reduction for those earning between 10,000 and 50,000, and a slight increase for higher earners.
She assured that the government would cover contributions for financially needy individuals, and the transition from NHIF to the Social Health Insurance Fund is scheduled for October 2024.
Nakhumicha clarified that the Linda Mama program for pregnant women remains intact, with an allocated budget of 4.8 billion for the current fiscal year. She urged the public to dispel misinformation and encouraged responsible utilization of the funds.
Highlighting a broader societal concern, Nakhumicha announced a 14-day gender-based activism initiative to combat gender violence. Notably, the campaign aims to address a rise in violence against men, urging the collaboration of churches in tackling family-level violence.
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