The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) is facing financial struggles five months after its rollout, according to the Ministry of Health.
SHIF, which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in October last year, has faced numerous challenges, but for the first time, the government has openly admitted the delay in clearing patient payments stems from a funding crisis.
While addressing the press at Afya House on Wednesday, February 12, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah and the Director General of Health Dr Patrick Amoth revealed that of the 19 million Kenyans registered with the national scheme, only 3.3 million Kenyans are contributing to the scheme. "Health services are expensive, and we cannot only have those in formal employment bearing the burden of the rest of the Kenyan population," said Dr Amoth.
Health Director General Dr Patrick Amoth addressing the press at Afya House, Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
