By Alloys Musyoka
Deputy Government Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga has urged women to take advantage of the Social Health Authority to benefit from free government services in hospitals.
Chidzuga said that the president William Ruto administration is committed to support women across the country on matters around health.
“Government has plans to ensure women get free services in public and private hospitals but women must register first so that by October 1 2024 when the government starts the program of free medical services we can also benefit,” she said.
Speaking at Mazunguni village in Kikoneni-LungaLunga during her village to village meet up visits in Kwale, Chiduzga said that expectant women are biggest beneficiaries of the program if they register.
“Sometimes you will go to hospital and you don’t have money and that becomes a big problem and especially for expectant women who will benefit from Social Health Authority,” she added.
She took issue with cancer disease that has been a thorn in the flesh of many families saying that SHA will cater for its treatment as well.
In a significant move aimed at transforming Kenya’s healthcare landscape, the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) is scheduled to commence operations from October 1 this year.
As a cornerstone of President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the SHIF initiative aims to provide comprehensive health coverage to all Kenyans.
Under this scheme, vulnerable populations will gain access to a broad spectrum of benefits, including screening, dialysis, kidney transplants, essential medications, and vital medical equipment. With approval secured for the necessary regulations, the CS said her Ministry is poised to kick-start a registration process next month.
This milestone signifies a crucial step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and shifting the healthcare paradigm towards preventive and promotive practices.