KENYA —A sweeping transformation is underway in Kenya’s healthcare landscape as the cabinet spearheads the dissolution of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), making way for three distinct funds.

This monumental decision is propelled by the nation’s unwavering drive toward achieving universal health coverage (UHC), a vision shared by the United Nations member states globally.

The annulment of NHIF marks the birth of three separate funds meticulously engineered to augment universal health coverage.

This trio includes the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund.

This momentous shift arises from the restructuring of the total health expenditure amounting to Sh550 billion (US$3.78 billion).

Highlighting this evolution, Hussein Mohamed, the State House spokesperson, clarifies that the Primary Care Fund’s funding will be sourced from the national exchequer.

This reorganization is set to transcend access to healthcare and foster improved healthcare infrastructure.

Cabinet unanimity

Under the roof of the Kakamega State Lodge, President William Ruto’s cabinet convened for a crucial meeting where the unanimous endorsement of this proposal unfolded.

Recognizing the transformative potential, the cabinet believed this pivotal move would pave the way for enhanced healthcare accessibility.

Subsequent to the cabinet’s consensus, a quartet of bills was forwarded to the Parliament, marking the initial stride towards operationalizing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

These bills encompass The Primary Health Care Bill, 2023; The Digital Health Bill, 2023; The Facility Improvement Financing Bill, 2023; and the Social Health Insurance Bill, 2023.

Pursuing the vision

President William Ruto’s overarching agenda to usher in Universal Health Coverage (UHC) reflects Kenya’s steadfast commitment to revolutionize healthcare accessibility.

Aligned with global aspirations, Kenya endeavors to materialize worldwide universal health coverage by 2030, an ambition articulated by the World Health Organization.

Universal Health Coverage/Care (UHC) signifies more than just medical provisions; it encapsulates the ability of individuals and communities to access essential health services without enduring financial adversity.

This vision envisages comprehensive healthcare services encompassing promotion, prevention, cure, rehabilitation, and palliation, without jeopardizing financial stability.

Kenya’s UHC journey

Kenya’s foray into UHC commenced in 2018 as a pilot initiative within four of the nation’s 47 sub-national governments.

A testament to these endeavors, Kenya clinched the third position in Africa’s Global Health Security (GHS) index 2021, standing as the premier healthcare system in East Africa.

As Kenya navigates the UHC path, significant hurdles emerge. The most formidable pertains to financing.

The unpredictability of government revenue projections casts shadows on the feasibility of tax-based financing for UHC’s sustainability.

Additionally, the scant reach of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) among the informal workforce impedes comprehensive healthcare access.

Meanwhile, as Kenya advances on the UHC trajectory, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) assumes a proactive role.

With plans to audit the systems, policies, and operations of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), the EACC aims to root out corruption loopholes that undermine the effectiveness of healthcare initiatives.

The recent suspension of eight NHIF managers under suspicion of involvement in a fund-swirling cartel has spurred CS Susan Nakhumicha into action.

Collaborating with the EACC, the investigation aims to unearth corruption and instigate reform to strengthen the management of public healthcare resources.

As Kenya dismantles the old to pave the way for the new, the journey toward universal health coverage is propelled by a potent mix of political will, legal reforms, and public accountability.

This pivotal moment underscores the nation’s commitment to its citizens’ well-being, promising a more equitable and accessible healthcare landscape for all.

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