Kenyan employers urged to register staff to SHIF by September 30 for UHC

KENYA — The Ministry of Health has issued a directive to all employers, providing detailed guidelines on registering their employees for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) as part of its commitment to advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country.

 According to the notice, SHIF will officially replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which has been in place since 1966, effective October 1, 2024.

In the gazette notice, the ministry emphasized that employers have until September 30, 2024, to ensure their staff is registered on the new platform.

This transition is aligned with the recently enacted Social Health Act 2023, which mandates that every Kenyan citizen, along with their dependents, register for the SHIF program.

 The Ministry made it clear that registration is not optional, as the law requires all citizens to join SHIF for comprehensive healthcare coverage.

“For compliance with the law, every Kenyan, including their dependents, must register as a member of the SHIF under the SHA,” the Ministry’s notice read in part.

Employers have been directed to use the SHA Employer Portal (https://sha.go.ke/) to facilitate this process.

The portal will serve several critical functions, including registering employees and their dependents, managing SHIF contributions, generating reports, and updating employee information.

 Employers are urged to meet the registration deadline and adhere to payment schedules to prevent disruptions in healthcare services for their employees.

“All employers must ensure that their staff is fully registered with SHIF before October 1, 2024. Timely payments are crucial to avoid any interruptions in healthcare coverage,” the notice added.

As of September 16, 2024, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa announced that over 1.2 million Kenyans had already registered for the new program.

During her address at the launch of the nationwide training initiative, Barasa highlighted that existing NHIF members would automatically transition to SHIF. She emphasized the importance of completing the registration process to avoid any gaps in coverage.

In line with the transition, the Ministry has launched the National Training of Trainers on the digital health portal, a program aimed at equipping healthcare workers with the necessary skills to operate within the updated healthcare system.

 Barasa stated that the training would enhance operational efficiency, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen health financing mechanisms across the country.

This initiative follows recent remarks by Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, who affirmed the government’s focus on raising public awareness and educating citizens about the transition from NHIF to SHIF.

The goal is to ensure a smooth shift and guarantee that all Kenyans continue to have access to affordable and quality healthcare.

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