President William Ruto’s administration is prepared to roll out Universal Health Coverage (UHC) starting January 2024.
Ruto directed Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Susan Nakhumicha to expedite discussions on regulations to govern UHC. This followed the approval of the Social Health Insurance Act 2023, providing for mandatory membership of Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)
President William Ruto has revealed plans by his administration to roll out Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in January 2024.
President William Ruto speaking during the launch of the Mission for Essential Medical Supplies’ Microbiology Laboratory in Syokimau, Machakos.
Ruto directed Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Susan Nakhumicha to expedite public discussions with stakeholders on UHC regulations from December 1, 2023.
How much will Kenyans pay for UHC? Ruto said the discussions determine the cost of UHC for each individual beneficiary.
“It is my intention that before January 1, 2024, we must have settled that conversation. That conversation must determine how much somebody like the president pays and how much mama mboga pays.
“Payment of health insurance should be commensurate to people’s income so that those who cannot afford to pay less or we finance them as government,” said Ruto.
Ruto emphasised his administration’s commitment in ensuring affordable health care for all Kenyans. He noted the laboratory will ensure that Kenya competitively manufactures medicine for domestic market, cutting annual import bill by KSh 76 billion.
“It will cut our annual imports bill by KSh 76 billion, boost our export earnings, create more jobs and in the long-run, grow our economy,” he said.
New NHIF monthly premiums This followed the approval of the Social Health Insurance Act 2023, which requires all persons over the age of 18 and living in Kenya to contribute to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
CS Nakhumicha published a gazette notice operationalizing the Act effective from November 22, 2023. “In exercise of the powers conferred by section 1 of the SHIF Act 2023, the cabinet secretary for health designates November 22, 2023, as the date on which the SHIF Act 2023 shall come into operation,” read the notice in part.
