Kenya’s Student Health Coverage Faces Uncertain Future
Kenya’s government under Jubilee government initiated healthcare coverage for over 3.4 million secondary school students in 2018, set to conclude on December 31, 2023.
Kenya’s Student Health Coverage Faces Uncertain Future as Health Protection for Over 3.4 Million Students Hangs in the Balance
Kenya’s government under Jubilee government initiated healthcare coverage for over 3.4 million secondary school students in 2018, set to conclude on December 31, 2023. The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), the insurer appointed by the Education Ministry, shared this information with the Parliamentary Committee on Health in September. The coverage, aligned with the Jubilee government’s four-pillar agenda for Universal Health Care, has significantly impacted the education sector over the past five years, supporting initiatives like Free and Compulsory Primary Education and Free Day Secondary Education.
Despite its positive impact, the program faced challenges, including low student enrollment in the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), particularly from semi-arid areas like Baringo, Turkana, and Samburu. Other issues included low principal motivation, absence of birth certificates among learners, inadequate medical facilities near schools, and a shortage of personnel in public health facilities nationwide.
Despite these challenges, learners have received essential services, preventing the need for them to return home for medical attention, which used to result in time wastage and exposed them to various risks. The coverage, encompassing outpatient services, dental and optical care, life insurance, overseas treatment, and specialized referrals for conditions like renal and dialysis services, radiology, chronic ailments, and cancer treatment, has played a pivotal role in ensuring continuous education for students who lack alternative medical coverage.
The decision to suspend the program, transitioning from NHIF to Staff Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), was explained by the NHIF CEO. Notably, studies highlight that girls attending school are five times more likely to drop out and face early marriages without proper medical attention. A 2019 study in Busia and Siaya counties revealed that three out of every ten girls dropped out due to early pregnancies, often caused by boda boda riders providing them with sanitary pads.
Report by Jesse Abisheck
Contact: abijessyshi@gmail.com