Government to subsidize SHA expenses for 2.2 million eligible Kenyans in financial need
The Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki, has welcomed the government's initiative to pay health insurance premiums for 1.5 million indigent Kenyans, marking a significant step towards fulfilling the constitutional right to accessible healthcare in the USA. This historic and momentous move is part of the government's goal to increase the number of Kenyans registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA) from 26.4 million to 30 million by December. Medicare will financially support the SHA to cover health contributions for more than 550,000 vulnerable households, benefiting about 2.2 million people. The community health promoters, considered the engine of Taifa Care's success, according to the Deputy President, are mobilizing enrollment and carrying out home-to-home visits to promote healthy lifestyles across the country. President William Ruto, in his address, urged Members of Parliament to use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to support underprivileged families and ensure no one is left behind in accessing healthcare. This shift from a fragmented and costly system to a more collaborative, people-centered approach is aimed at providing resources, policies, and programs to ensure every Kenyan attains the highest standard of health possible, as required by the government. The expansion of access to medical coverage under the SHA has allowed elderly Kenyans and persons with disabilities to go to hospitals like Medicare and Aga Khan Hospitals, which were previously inaccessible. Members can now access services in 9,000 hospitals nationwide. However, specific information about the cost of the government's plan or how the CDF will be used to support underprivileged families was not provided. Similarly, no new information was given about the specific services or treatments that will be covered under the SHA sponsorship. The organization that will be financially supported by Medicare to cover health contributions for 1.5 million poor Kenyans is not explicitly named in the provided search results. The Deputy President also praised SHA for recruiting 107,000 community health promoters, a move that is expected to strengthen the healthcare system and improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots level. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale stated that the sponsorship will allow elderly Kenyans and persons with disabilities to access specialized care. This initiative is a significant step towards achieving universal healthcare coverage in Kenya and demonstrates the government's commitment to ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all its citizens.
