President William Ruto assured Kenyans that the current delays faced by the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) are merely teething problems that will soon be resolved. Speaking during a church service in Moiben, Uasin Gishu emphasized the trans-formative potential of the Fund for healthcare access once it becomes fully operational.
Ruto acknowledged the challenges encountered during the roll-out, referring to them as “teething hitches” that are being addressed. He highlighted the government’s commitment to managing these issues, mentioning that funds have already been disbursed to hospitals and dispensaries, with plans for continued support throughout the transition period.
Despite initial glitches in the SHIF system, which left many patients struggling to access medical services, the president expressed optimism about the Fund’s future. He reassured the public that his administration remains steadfast in its goal of ensuring equitable healthcare access, particularly for disadvantaged households.
“We want to ensure that anyone, regardless of financial capacity, can seek medical services without being turned away,” Ruto stated. So far, over three million Kenyans have registered under the new system, aimed at aligning healthcare delivery with the principles of Universal Healthcare.
Under SHIF, salaried employees contribute 2.75% of their gross salary, while non-salaried households will pay an annual contribution based on household income. The government is also collecting data on non-salaried households to better assess their ability to pay SHIF contributions.
As the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) continues, activists have challenged the implementation of the new scheme in court, with hearings set to resume this week.
