Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has praised the Court of Appeal’s decision to allow the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) in Kenya.
Nakhumicha stated, “I applaud the Court of Appeal for its swift decision greenlighting the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). This opens the door for a resilient healthcare system that perfectly aligns with the laid-out strategies for the enrollment of UHC.”
The Fund, once operational, will provide all Kenyans with access to healthcare services without discrimination. Nakhumicha emphasized the importance of the court’s ruling, noting, “The ruling instills confidence amongst millions of Kenyans who rely on the insurance fund to access medical services.”
The Appellate Court’s decision lifts the previous orders that had barred the government from rolling out the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Act. However, the court has suspended some sections of the Act pending the hearing and determination of the appeal by the CS.
This decision means that Kenyans will contribute 2.75% of their gross salary or earnings to the new health scheme, which will significantly impact the funding and improvement of healthcare services in the country.