Govt Rebrands NHIF in Ruto's Health Reforms

An image on NHIF headquarters in Upperhill, Nairobi County.
An image on NHIF headquarters in Upperhill, Nairobi County.
Photo
NHIF

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha on Thursday, February 2, announced that the Government was working on a name change for the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Speaking during an address to the press at Safari Park Hotel, the CS noted that the insurance fund was set to be rebranded to National Social Health Insurance Fund (NSHIF).

"For us to drive this universal healthcare, we have to bring everybody on board. That is why we already have a team working and in the next few months, we are going to roll out NSHIF.

"The NSHIF is going to leave no one behind. Every Kenyan is going to have access to healthcare," Nakhumicha announced.

Health CS Susan Nakhumicha.
Health CS Susan Nakhumicha during a meeting with KMPDU officials at her office on Friday, December 30, 2022.
Ministry of Health

The CS made the revelation while attending the inaugural Cancer Summit in Nairobi.

Nakhumicha further noted that the rebrand was yet another chapter in the fund's evolution from the National Hospital Insurance Fund to National Health Insurance Fund.

"I want to thank Governor Anyang Nyong'o for moving from a national Hospital Insurance Fund to National Health Insurance Fund when he was Minister for Health," stated Nakhumicha.

The CS further announced that as part of enhancing Universal Healthcare, the government will be employing 90,000 community healthcare workers.

"The 90,000 community workers will bring much value especially in driving the cancer menace out of Kenya," she noted.

NHIF's name change comes against the backdrop of President William Ruto's push to change the payment structure of the insurance fund.

“Our health agenda is premised on fundamental reforms in the way healthcare is financed and provided.

"Contributions to the National Health Insurance Fund will now be graduated and will depend on people’s income,” the President announced on September 13, 2022. 

President William Ruto signs the Executive Orders at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.
President William Ruto signs the Executive Orders at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.
State House Kenya