The government has stepped up its efforts to get Kenyans to register for the contentious Social Health Authority (SHA), with efforts now seeping into places of worship.
Health PS Mary Muthoni, who has been at the heart of the drive to shore up the number of Kenyans registered for the new medical scheme, took her campaigns to the church, visiting two religious institutions in the Kawangware area on Saturday, November 23.
With the help of the environment chief officer Geoffrey Mosiria, the PS racked up several new registrations as she urged more Kenyans to register, amid a plateau in the number of new registrations in recent weeks.
"We need to come together so that we can solve this health issue as a country," the PS told congregants at Satellite Newlife SDA Church as she reiterated the Ministry of Health's commitment to collaborating with faith-based organizations to build a healthier and more inclusive nation, ensuring that no one is left behind.
While engaging with congregants, the PS also admitted that the transition from the defunct NHIF to SHIF was not flawless but the Ministry was intent on correcting all grey areas.
She went on, "We are not asleep. We are fully aware of the challenges that are on the system. At times uploading dependants is an issue. Sometimes people go to hospitals which are not contracted by SHA."
This latest registration drive to upscale the SHA registration numbers brought to perspective the key challenge on the government's hands convincing lower-class citizens of the authenticity of the new scheme.
While touring Muthuni, Mbilini, and Mwanyani in Machakos County last week, PS Muthoni had to grapple with the reality that a majority of Kenyans, particularly those in lower-income households, were unfamiliar with the particulars of the new scheme.
The government's uphill task of trying to overcome the stigma SHA was facing from Kenyans was made worse by rumours that SHA was part of the Adani-signed deals which have since been cancelled. Social Health Authority board chair Abdi Mohammed has since debunked these reports.
“SHA is probably being dragged into the alleged Adani deals by the cartels who were benefiting from NHIF at the expense of citizens,” he said.
To address this challenge, the PS is urging locals to collaborate with Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to learn more about the transition to SHA.
By Wednesday, 14 million Kenyans were registered under the new scheme, including 8 million new registrations. 6 million Kenyans managed to successfully transition from the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund.
While this number initially looked promising, the current go-slow in new registrations is worrisome for the government, whose overall goal is to have all 55 million Kenyans under the new system.
