Inside Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)
President William Ruto’s major project, the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), aims to give all Kenyans access to inexpensive healthcare.
The 57-year-old National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is replaced by SHIF.
To increase its efficacy and adapt to Kenyans’ evolving healthcare requirements, NHIF undergone a number of adjustments.
The organization implemented new contribution rates in 2021; employees could contribute as little as Sh150 or as much as Sh1,700.
Since the poor and those working in the unorganized sector were excluded during the years that the NHIF was in operation, SHIF aims to guarantee equity and access to health services for them.
Suspension
The High Court halted the SHIF’s implementation in November of last year in response to a case filed by businessman Joseph Enock Aura contesting certain aspects of the plan.
Since then, the Kenyan Court of Appeal has approved. On January 19, 2023, a three-judge bench overturned the prohibition, stating that the suspension constituted a “real and present danger to the health rights of countless citizens who are not parties to the litigation”.
The 2.75 percent contribution
2.75 percent of each employee’s pay is supposed to go toward the new health fund.
Kenyans were required to deduct between Sh150 and Sh1,700 from their salaries under the NHIF, and Sh500 from their self-employment.
Kenyans who made Sh20,000 had Sh750 withheld from them, while those who made Sh50,000 paid 1,200.
A deduction of Sh1,700 was made from those making Sh100,000 or more.
For individuals making Sh100,000 or more, the maximum cap of Sh1,700 would be removed.
Under SHIF, Kenyans receiving Sh50,000 will pay Sh1,375, and those making Sh20,000 will have Sh550 taken out.
Kenyans who earn Sh100,000 would have Sh2,750 taken out of their account, and those who make Sh200,000 will pay Sh5,500.
Kenyans making up to Sh500,000 would pay Sh13,750, while those making up to Sh1 million will pay Sh27,500.
The jobless
Inside Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)
Instead of the Sh500 that was first suggested in the draft regulations of 2022, contributors who are not employed or classified as vulnerable individuals will pay a monthly contribution of Sh1,000.
Kenyans in need will get contributions from the county and national governments.
On behalf of those on the State Department of Social Protection’s vulnerable list, the national government will donate Sh13,300.
The mandatory
It will be required for all adults requesting government services to make a contribution to the fund.
The laws also mandate that all foreign visitors staying in the nation for more than a year register and pay into the social health insurance program.
Travel health insurance is required for visitors staying in Kenya for less than a year, and it must be accepted by Kenyan insurance laws and regulations.
Inside Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)
Under the expansive UHC program, the government is also obliged to construct a health facility for each 5,000 citizens.
In order to improve access to the delivery of primary health care services at the local level, the Primary Health Care Act of 2023 calls for the establishment of community health centers across the nation.
