The Ministry of Health is ready to disband the 57-year-old NHIFÂ and replace it with the Social Health Authority following the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Bill of 2023.
The Social Health Authority will be responsible for administering three distinct funds – Primary Health Care Fund, Social Health Insurance Fund, and Chronic Illness and Emergency Fund. Under the bill, the Primary Health Care Fund is designated to support preventive and promotive primary care services at the community, dispensary, and health center levels.
The Social Health Insurance Fund will cover several services including direct referrals, and secondary and tertiary healthcare, while the Chronic Illness and Emergency Fund is designed to address chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer management, and emergency treatments.
Appearing before Parliament, NHIF Chief Executive Office Elijah Wachira assured the Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration, and Agriculture of the safety of Kenyans’ contributions as they prepare for the transition to the new Social Health Authority.
Out of a total of 15.4 million members, NHIF has 6.7 million active members. In the last 2021/2022 financial year, it collected a total of Sh61.53 billion from its members.
