On Thursday, November 21, 2024, President William Ruto made an important announcement regarding the payments by the Social Health Authority (SHA) to health service providers.
He revealed that SHA would clear all claims for October by next week, promising a smooth payment process.
This move is part of his administration's efforts to improve the healthcare system and ensure that service providers are paid promptly.
In his speech during the State of the Nation address, President Ruto disclosed that the government had already disbursed KSh 5 billion to settle historical debts owed to public, private, and faith-based medical facilities.
This disbursement is part of the ongoing efforts to address the challenges faced by health facilities in receiving timely payments.
Ruto further promised that KSh 3.7 billion would be released the following day.
With SHA now in place, he assured Kenyans that claims from service providers would be processed faster than they were under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Despite acknowledging the challenges that come with transitioning from NHIF to SHA, President Ruto expressed confidence that his government would overcome these difficulties.
He emphasized that the government was working closely with county governments and listening to the concerns of Kenyans to provide better healthcare services.
This commitment aims to ensure that all Kenyans have access to quality healthcare, regardless of their location or background.
Additionally, the president announced the rebranding of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to Taifa Care, a move aimed at enhancing the country's Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Under the new Taifa Care initiative, every Kenyan will be eligible for healthcare services as long as they are registered.
Ruto urged all citizens to register for the new scheme, highlighting that this was a crucial step in securing dependable healthcare for themselves and their families.
While the president's speech received praise for its promises, the new health scheme has also faced some criticism.
One notable critic is National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei, who raised concerns about the benefits package offered under SHIF.
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