The Social Health Authority (SHA) has affirmed that pregnant women can still access free delivery services under the Linda Mama package.
The authority has dismissed claims that the free delivery program was discontinued, after repealing of National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) noting that such misinformation could jeopardize the lives of mothers and newborns seeking hospital deliveries.
In an interview with The Standard, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SHA Robert Ingasira clarified that the Linda Mama cover is now integrated into the new scheme. "Linda Mama is still available," emphasized Ingasira. "It has been enhanced under the new framework." Ingasira explained that under SHA, women are required to register just like any other citizen in their preferred hospitals for Antenatal Clinics (ANC), and are guided through the registration process.
During registration, a means testing is conducted to determine the cost of services required, to enable SHA to determine how much to remit.
