The government has set in motion the process of abolishing the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) in a move aimed at attaining Universal Health Care (UHC) in the country.
Yesterday, a cabinet, following a meeting presided over by President William Ruto at the Kakamega State Lodge approved three Bills that will repeal NHIF and in its place establish three funds: Primary Healthcare Fund; Social Health Insurance Fund; and Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.
The move follows the approval of four crucial bills aimed at accelerating the attainment of affordable and quality universal health coverage.
The bills considered and approved crucial Bills that promote healthcare, for transmission to Parliament, are; The Primary Health Care Bill, 2023; The Digital Health Bill, 2023; The Facility Improvement Financing Bill, 2023; and The Social Health Insurance Bill, 2023.
“In honour of the Administration’s pledge to accelerate Kenya’s attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as set out within the Administration’s plan for a healthier nation espoused under the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).” A cabinet communique issued last evening reads in part.
According to the Cabinet, the Digital Health Bill addresses the existing legal and regulatory gaps in the framework for the e-Health ecosystem and its data lifecycle; enabling the development of standards towards the provision of m-health, telemedicine, and e-learning in healthcare.
“The bills will usher in a paradigm in the legal and institutional framework for healthcare in Kenya by repealing the current National Health Insurance Fund and establishing in its place the following funds: Primary Healthcare Fund; Social Health Insurance Fund; and Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.” The dispatch adds in part.
The President has been keen on reforming the health sector and in particular NHIF to bring enhanced benefits to contributors.
Regrettably, the fund has faced various challenges, including corruption and mismanagement of contributions.
“This new architecture is expected to provide a framework for improved health outcomes and financial protection of families in fidelity to the State’s solemn duty to guarantee the health and welfare of all her citizens.” The cabinet resolved.
The four Bills will be presented to parliament for debate for approval or rejection.
“These Bills usher in a paradigm in the legal and institutional framework for healthcare in Kenya by repealing the current National Health Insurance Fund and establishing in its place the following funds: Primary Healthcare Fund; Social Health Insurance Fund; and Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund,” said the Cabinet.
The Digital Health Bill, according to the cabinet dispatch, will enable the development of standards towards the provision of m-health, telemedicine, and e-learning in healthcare.
“This new architecture is expected to provide a framework for improved health outcomes and financial protection of families in fidelity to the State’s solemn duty to guarantee the health and welfare of all her citizens.” The statement adds in part.