Editor's Review

The government has given all civil servants an ultimatum to register for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

The government has given all civil servants until October 1, 2024, to register for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

Addressing the media on Thursday, September 5, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the Ministries of Education has been directed to support the registration while the Ministry of Interior will facilitate the rollout through its network. 

“All civil servants are expected to be registered by October 1, 2024, with the Ministries of Energy and Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy required to support power and internet connections to health facilities across the country. 

“The Ministry of Education will support student registration, while the Ministry of the Interior will facilitate the rollout through its National Government Administrative Offices (NGAOS) network,” said Mwaura.

The Government Spokesperson noted that 861,101 Kenyans had registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA) as of September 3, 2024and 9,792 health facilities, including 2,008 public and 7,784 private and faith-based facilities licensed with KMPDC.

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File image of Health CS Debra Barasa. 

Mwaura also said the draft contracts with healthcare providers have been finalized, and the government is now focused on public awareness and education regarding the transition from NHIF to SHA, with healthcare provider engagement to begin once tariffs are gazetted.

This comes weeks after the Ministry of Education ordered all parents to ensure all school-going children are registered under SHIF.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang in a memo to County Directors of Education and Regional Directors of Education said the registration was to be completed before the start of the third term.

SHIF is a fund created under the Social Health Insurance Act which came into force on November 22, 2023, to ensure many Kenyans have access to affordable health care.

SHIF will replace the current National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). Under SHIF, Kenyans will be required to contribute 2.75 percent of their income to the fund with the lowest income earners required to pay Sh 300 per month.