SHA Launch Marks Major Step Towards UHC
The launch of SHA follows closely on President William Ruto’s recent announcement regarding the successful registration of over 12.5 million Kenyans into the Social Health Authority.
A poster of Social Health Authority.Photo by SHA.
By Robert Mutasi
Kenya has officially launched the Social Health Authority (SHA), a significant initiative aimed at ensuring access to affordable and quality healthcare services for all Kenyans.
During the SHA launch, Principal Secretary (PS) Harry Kimtai assured Kenyans that the government is dedicated to improving healthcare delivery and reshaping the health landscape in the country.
“Kenyans should rest assured of regular services at their convenient health facilities, even as we unveil this milestone that will change the health landscape in the country for the first time in many years,” said PS Kimtai during the launch.
He further emphasized the government’s commitment to the realization of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), stating that the SHA represents a strategic and transformative step in that direction. The PS urged citizens to collaborate in the mission to actualize UHC and make healthcare more accessible across the nation.
The launch of SHA follows closely on President William Ruto’s recent announcement regarding the successful registration of over 12.5 million Kenyans into the Social Health Authority.
The initiative also highlights the seamless transition of 9.9 million Kenyans from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA, a step that has been lauded for improving access to a broader range of healthcare services under a unified framework.
According to President Ruto’s social media post, SHA introduces greater flexibility for its beneficiaries, providing Kenyans with the option to choose from a wide range of health facilities within their primary care network. Unlike previous systems, citizens are no longer tied to a single healthcare provider.
SHA has contracted a wide array of healthcare providers, including public, private, and faith-based institutions, offering individuals the freedom to select a healthcare facility that best suits their needs.
This development is part of the broader push by the government to strengthen the healthcare system and make health services more equitable.
By expanding the pool of contracted healthcare facilities, SHA aims to address gaps in service delivery, ensuring that every Kenyan, regardless of their location, can access the care they require.
With the SHA launch, Kenya has moved closer to achieving its goal of UHC. The government’s commitment to improving healthcare services is evident in the milestones reached so far, particularly the successful registration of millions into the new system.
This initiative underscores a critical shift towards a more inclusive and sustainable healthcare model, benefiting all citizens.
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