Kenya will partner with Estonia to implement the ongoing proposed reforms at the National Health Insurance Fund.
This is after the Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Wafula held a meeting with Estonian Ambassador to Africa Daniel Schaer at Afya House on Thursday.
The ministry last month begun the process of process of changing the fund to the National Social Health Insurance Fund.
“Kenya is looking to partner with Estonia to implement proposed reforms for a national insurance scheme,” the ministry said in a statement.
Wafula said the mulled change of name from the National Health Insurance Fund has been necessitated by the need to focus on primary and preventive healthcare.
The restructuring will include expanding the number of services covered and the network of healthcare providers.
This seeks to ensure it benefits Kenyans in accessing quality and affordable healthcare and drives the attainment of the Universal Health Coverage agenda.
The two leaders discussed the potential for partnerships between different ministries and departments in Kenya in an effort to improve digital systems with particular attention to the health information exchange system and data protection policy.
The CS emphasized that universal healthcare is a top priority for Kenya to ensure all Kenyans have access to timely, quality and affordable healthcare without being pushed into extreme poverty.
“Given the success of previous MoUs signed between Kenya and Estonia in the areas of ICT, health, and education, the CS recommends that Kenya expand its partnerships with Estonia in areas such as universal healthcare,” the ministry said.
Another area of focus during the restructuring process will be public education and awareness-raising campaigns to ensure that Kenyans understand the benefits of the new NSHIF.
The new plan will ensure increased efficiency and transparency of the fund.
The CS noted that there currently exist several schemes that take care of different cohorts of people, adding that there is a need to consolidate them into one as one big fund.
