The government has announced plans to reinstate the Linda Mama programme, which provides expectant mothers with access to free delivery services. Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni revealed that the maternal healthcare initiative will be integrated into the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) once it is implemented.
However, the High Court declared SHIF unconstitutional on July 12, citing a lack of public participation in its development and disparities that would disproportionately burden a few salaried individuals. Despite this, Muthoni stated that the government is committing Ksh.2 billion to enhance the Linda Mama programme.
“I want to confirm that it is coming back bigger and better. We are a listening government, we are a listening ministry. We do public participation, and when people tell us this is what they want, then it is packaged together,” Muthoni said on Tuesday.
Muthoni also mentioned that the Social Health Authority will determine the allocation of funds between Linda Mama and the Social Health Insurance Fund. Meanwhile, the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) will continue until SHIF is rolled out.
Kenya introduced the free maternity policy in all public healthcare facilities in 2013. In 2016, the Ministry of Health transferred the responsibility for the Linda Mama programme to NHIF and expanded its access beyond the public sector.
The Linda Mama Programme aims to help Kenya achieve Sustainable Development Goal Target 3.1, which seeks to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births, and Target 3.2, which aims to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births, among other targets.
