Editor's Review

Those, who perhaps don't manage to be onboarded, will be deployed to other government institutions - Felix Koskei.

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei now says that the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) employees will not lose their jobs as the government shifts to the Social Health Authority (SHA). 

Speaking on Wednesday, October 30, the Head of Public Service noted that SHA is yet to hire any employee except for the acting CEO. 

"There has been tension by the staff that has been working with NHIF but we have given them very clear assurance that no one will lose their job. As SHA, we only have one staff in the name of acting CEO. The entire staff complement of SHA has not been filled and the people who will be given first priority are NHIF staff," he said.

Additionally, Koskei said that NHIF staff who may not be able to transition to SHA would be absorbed into other government positions. 

"Those who perhaps don't manage to be on-boarded will be deployed to other government institutions, ministries, parastatals, and other agencies so that at the end of the day, the 100% ratio retention will be assured," he added. 

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File image of Felix Koskei in a previous meeting with officials from the Ministry of Health

The Social Health Authority (SHA) was established to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). SHA is mandated to manage the three healthcare funds established through the four healthcare bills.

The three funds under SHA include the Primary Healthcare Fund (PHF), the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIL).

It is important to note that each fund will serve a specific purpose and will be available to all Kenyans who register with SHA.

The Three Funds: The Difference & Purpose 

1. Primary Healthcare Fund (PHF)

This fund will pay for services Kenyans seek from health facilities graded Levels 1 to 3.

The fund will cover outpatient, inpatient, and maternity services. Optical and end-of-life services sought in health facilities (Level 1-3) will also be catered for by this fund.

Screening and management of pre-cancerous lesions services will also be purchased using this fund. 

2. Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)

SHIF is the most common fund that is known to many Kenyans. However, it is important to note that it is only one of the funds under SHA.

Unlike the PHF, SHIF will be the fund to cover costs for medical services Kenyans seek from medical facilities graded Levels 4 to 6. The fund will also be used to pay for more services that are usually offered at the Level 4-6 facilities.

The fund will cover outpatient, inpatient, and maternity services. Neonatal and Child health services will also be paid for using this fund.

Renal care treatment, hematology & oncology services, and mental wellness services will also be covered with SHIF.

Surgeries, dental treatments, and imaging services such as X-rays will also be covered using this fund. Notably, overseas treatment is also listed as one of the benefits of this fund.

3. Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund

This fund will be used to cover emergency and chronic illness costs.

The services that will covered using this fund include emergency and evacuation services which involve patients being taken to hospital with ambulances from their homes or scenes of accidents.

Stabilization and resuscitation services offered to patients will be covered with this fund. Patients who are admitted to the Critical care (ICU and HDU) will also have their treatment paid for using this fund.