Olweny: SHA to fund health facility upgrades for enhanced service delivery

The Social Health Authority (SHA) will help finance the improvement of health facilities to enhance service delivery in public hospitals.

Responding to concerns by members of the public on the poor state of public hospitals, SHA Chairman Dr. Timothy Olweny said one of the benefits of the scheme is ringfencing funds contributed for the improvement of health facilities and services in each county.

“Improving health facilities requires that you inject funding which is what the new scheme is supposed to do. Any funds that come from the social health authority into health care will be ringfenced to be used within the healthcare system,” said Dr. Olweny.

Dr. Olweny also allayed fears on the testing process of one’s ability to pay the premiums saying it is purely self declaration.

“We are not paying for services in government facilities only we are paying for services in any facility whether faith-based, private or public facilities,” he stated.

The Social Health Authority is set to replace the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) following the enactment of Universal Health Coverage bills into law which include the Primary Health Care Bill focused on effective healthcare delivery.

Other bills include the Facility Improvement Financing Bill which aims to create an efficient mechanism for collecting and managing revenue from health services and the Digital Health Bill which focuses on developing and maintaining the Comprehensive Integrated Management Information System for seamless health information exchange.

Under the new scheme, those employed will part with 2.75% of their income with the minimum premium being Ksh300.

Government hopes to cover more Kenyans through SHA having increased the benefits to include medical outpatient services, end-of-life services, surgical services, specialized pharmacy benefits, medical inpatient and critical care services as well as accident and emergency Services.

Other benefits include optical, mental wellness services, specialized essential diagnostic services, renal care services, overseas treatment and dental health care services.

The new scheme will also provide for rehabilitative Services, screening for common diseases, assistive devices, maternity and child health services, ontology services and medical imaging services.

Mass registration is set to kick off tomorrow, July 1.

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