Government to Enroll Poor Households Under SHA Medical Cover
Nairobi, Kenya - 16thΒ January 2025Β
The government has unveiled a plan to extend the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical cover to poor households across the country. This initiative was announced during a meeting onΒ January 15, 2025, between the Principal Secretaries of the πππππ πππ©ππ«ππ¦ππ§π ππ¨π« ππ¨ππ’ππ₯ ππ«π¨πππππ’π¨π§ ππ« ππ¨π¬ππ©π‘ π ππ¨πππ«π’ πππ and ππ‘π πππππ πππ©ππ«ππ¦ππ§π ππ¨π« ππππ’πππ₯ πππ«π―π’πππ¬ ππ« πππ«π«π² ππ’π¦πππ’, πππ.Β
Β In a bid to assist vulnerable populations, the government has allocated KES 950 million in the current financial year to cover households unable to afford the premiums required for the SHA medical plan.Β
The State Department for Social Protection will leverage its existing databases, including the Social Registry and the Inua Jamii cash transfer program, to identify the poorest households across Kenya.Β
Β The Social Registry currently includes over 4.4 million households, while the Inua Jamii program supports more than 1.75 million beneficiaries. These households will be selected for the SHA medical cover after their information is validated by the SHA.Β
Β Once implemented, the medical cover will be available to qualifying households for a duration of 12 months. This move is part of the governmentβs ongoing efforts to improve access to healthcare for vulnerable communities.