Nairobi: The Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Health, Aden Duale, has urged all Kenyans to register under the Social Health Authority (SHA), emphasizing that universal enrolment is essential for delivering affordable and quality-assured healthcare as part of President Dr. William Ruto’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) reforms. Duale made his statements during interactive sessions on KBC Radio and Radio Iftin, addressing public concerns regarding the ongoing transition from the defunct NHIF to SHA.
According to Kenya News Agency, the CS highlighted that the new financing model is designed to ensure equitable access to healthcare by strengthening primary healthcare, expanding emergency medical services, and establishing the critical illness fund (CIF). Additionally, Duale revealed that since the rollout of SHA, the government has mobilized Sh81 billion to support the transition to a more efficient, people-centered healthcare system.
“So far, over 30 million Kenyans have enrolled, marking major progress toward universal risk pooling,” stated Duale. He also reaffirmed the government’s focus on protecting vulnerable groups, particularly through the Linda Jamii Scheme, which replaces Linda Mama and provides free prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care for adolescent mothers.
“The scheme uses a special identification number to ensure teenage mothers receive services even without a parent’s ID,” added Duale, noting that to date, 22,000 adolescent mothers have benefitted. The CS emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring access to high-quality healthcare for all, particularly in remote and underserved regions, and reiterated that no Kenyan will be left behind as UHC reforms continue to advance across the country.
