The government has proposed the scrapping off of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and its place introduced three funds namely the Primary Healthcare Fund; Social Health Insurance Fund; and Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.
In the new proposal, the government seeks to tax Kenyans 2.75% that will go towards the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), a fund that is set to outperform services offered under the current NHIF in two major areas.
Differences between NHIF and SHIF
- SHIF will remove the current limitations under NHIF where patients have a limit to receive treatment.
- SHIF will remove exclusions under NHIF where patients only receive treatment of certain illness.
According to the Ministry of Health, for the first time they will introduce the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund which will cover cases of accidents, emergencies and chronic diseases such as cancer.
Through the proposed contribution of 2.75%, the ministry now targets Ksh 144 billion annually from the current Ksh 44 billion collected and subsidized by the government up to Ksh 15 billion annually.
Kenyans will also enjoy services of primary health care givers right at their doorsteps thus curb preventable disease and improve the country’s healthcare department.
