Teachers and other public servants are bracing for more loss of income as the new health insurance that replaces NHIF comes into force.
They are set to dig deeper into their pockets to fund the Social Health Insurance Find (SHIF) which has three wings that need to be plugged: the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), the Primary Healthcare Fund, and the Chronic Illness and Emergency Fund.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha officially gazzetted the Act on Tuesday, November 22, ahead of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) rollout in January 2024.
The legislation replaces the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
To fund these initiatives, all teachers will be required to part with a percentage of their income for each of the new schemes.
Public participation is scheduled to commence next week to gather citizens’ views on the new regulations.
The Social Health Insurance Authority (SHIA) will replace NHIF, and non-Kenyan residents must register as members.
President William Ruto had proposed a 2.75 per cent contribution from gross salaries to the SHIA, affecting individuals differently depending on their income levels.
Ruto emphasized that the payment structure should reflect one’s ability to pay, ostensibly to ensure fairness across various income brackets.
Addressing concerns about the potential financial strain on teachers, the president indicated that a comprehensive conversation on contributions would be concluded before January 1, 2024.
He underscored the importance of aligning health insurance payments with individual income, emphasizing the need for affordability and government support for those unable to bear the full cost.
By Viola Chepkemoi
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