Kenyans will no longer incur catastrophic expenditures from out of pocket healthcare payments should they fall sick.
President William Ruto on Friday said the four health laws he signed on Thursday are aimed at strengthening healthcare provision and attainment of Universal Health Coverage.
Ruto on Thursday signed the Social Health Insurance Act, the Primary Healthcare Act, Facility Improvement Financing Act and the Digital Health Act.
Speaking during the Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kericho, the President said even though various measures previously put in place to enhance the capacity of NHIF had yielded some fruits, several gaps remain.
He said analysis had shown that the NHIF operates as a passive, rather than a strategic purchaser, is plagued by inefficiency and governance challenges, and is potentially financially unsustainable.
He noted that the Social Health Insurance Act establishes a publicly financed chronic, emergency and critical illness fund and the Social Health Insurance Fund.
The President noted that with the funds, access to health will no longer be based on the ability to pay but on the needs of every Kenyan.
“We are implementing a per-household payment system where a flat rate applies to everyone, regardless of their income,” Ruto said.
He said before, the rates were a disadvantage to the low-income earners who were effectively subsidising high-income earners.
“The Social Health Insurance Fund also signifies a shift to increased use of domestic resources for health financing and a sustainable approach, especially at a time when resources form donors and development partners are dwindling,” Ruto said.
The President acknowledged that the healthcare system in the country is largely focused on curative services at the expense of preventive and promotive services.
This, he said, has occasioned inequity in financing, which has disadvantaged primary healthcare uptake and promotion.
He further noted that the Facility Improvement Financing Act will guide the counties on how to retain, manage and use revenue generated from health-related services rendered at public health facilities.
Previously, funds allocated to public health facilities are directed to the county revenue fund and are rarely re-invested into the facilities.
The President said that this lack of autonomy in public health facility management and financial control has led to an increase in fragmentation, poor service deliver and deteriorating health outcomes.
