Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has announced that the government has allocated 53 billion for primary healthcare services in dispensaries (Level II) and Level III public health centres.
Under the new health insurance scheme, Kenyans will be able to access basic health services for free at Level II dispensaries and Level III health centres at the launch of the new health scheme (SHIF).
"In the 53 billion, when a Kenyan visits a dispensary (Level II) or health centre (Level III), they are not expected to make a payment for the services at that level," Nakhumicha explained.
These free services according to the Health CS will include testing and treatment for Malaria, common cold, and flu.
The Public Health Centers and dispensaries provide basic services for simple ailments such as the common cold flu, uncomplicated malaria, and minor skin conditions.
The new Social Health Insurance Scheme (SHIF) fund is categorized into segments. This includes 20 billion for the Emergency Chronic and Critical Illness Fund, and 148 billion for Social Health Insurance, separate eight billion and 53 billion will be publicly financed. The publicly financed funds are categorized under the community health partners kit.
The funds will be raised by a joint force between the government and individual beneficiaries who will be liable to pay monthly statutory deductions, for those in the formal sector of employment or monthly premium subscriptions to those in the informal sectors.
Other benefit packages in SHIF will include medical outpatient services, surgical services, specialized pharmacy benefits, medical inpatient and critical care services, accident and emergency services, mental wellness services, and screening for common diseases maternity, and child health services.
The new approach which emphasizes free primary health care is keen to address basic health care challenges.
In a bid to raise the funds, every citizen will, however, be required to contribute a statutory monthly deduction of 2.75 per cent of their household income.
The initiative aims to enhance overall healthcare outcomes by focusing on disease prevention.
Speaking during stakeholder engagement on Tuesday in Nairobi, Timothy Olweny, chair of Social Health Authority, reiterated the government's commitment to providing free basic health care services.
In the move to improve health services in the country, the government had okayed the Ministry of Health to roll out strategies that would transform the health sector.
The transition from the National Health Insurance Fund to the Social Health Insurance Fund has seen several Ministry of Health stakeholder engagements to break down the coming changes in health insurance.
