Government eyes student enrollment to boost SHA uptake

Health CS Deborah Mulongo (Centre) flanked by PSs Mary Muthoni and Harry Kimtai before the Senate Health Committee Chaired by Senator Jackson Mandago and Senator Mariam Omar Sheikh at Mini Chambers, County Nairobi. March 18th,2025 [Elvis Ogina, Standard] The government is exploring the possibility of enrolling students in the Social Health Authority (SHA) to increase coverage under the new healthcare system. For the past six months, the Health Ministry has pushed for parents to register their children under SHA, but uptake remains low due to widespread resistance. SHA Acting Chief Executive Officer Robert Ingasira said about 20.5 million Kenyans have so far registered, including three million from the formal sector and 1.3 million from the informal sector. However, only five million are actively contributing, while the rest rely on sponsorship under the Social Health Insurance Fund. "The aim is to have the entire population register. We are targeting to bring in students who are in school. This will help bring that number up," said Ingasira. He added that SHA's ongoing staff recruitment will conclude in two months. Currently, 815 employees will transition from the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), with additional positions to be filled externally. The Senate Health Committee has also raised concerns over the Ministry of Health's proposed Sh85 billion allocation, which would push the ministry's total budget to Sh204.4 billion. The committee also scrutinised the proposal to hire 20,000 additional health workers, questioning whether Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers will be included and whether recruitment will be done through the Public Service Commission (PSC) or other channels such as the Public National Program (PNP). Committee Chair Jackson Mandago criticised the ministry for allocating Sh1.4 billion to confirm UHC workers employed by the national government while excluding those hired by county governments. "Will UHC workers be part of the recruitment? And will they be hired on a permanent and pensionable basis?" Mandago asked. Meanwhile, the State Department for Medical Services has requested an Sh81 billion budget increase, citing the integration of SHA. However, senators have opposed the request, accusing the ministry of unnecessary spending and overstepping county government functions. Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina warned that the funds risk being misused or inefficiently allocated. "The social health aspect should be more autonomous and handled by county governments, rather than the national government usurping that role," said Ole Kina.MPs also accused the government of inequitable resource distribution, arguing that some counties receive disproportionate funding. "You cannot say that you want equity yet Uasin Gishu County alone has been allocated Sh700 million to build three sub-county hospitals. If you go to Turkana county it is a mere Sh200 million. Where is equity there?" he posed.

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Government eyes student enrollment to boost SHA uptake

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