Push to compel State officers to use SHIF now in Parliament

“This House therefore resolves that the Government through the Ministry of Health implements the Kenya Universal Healthcare Coverage Policy 2020-2030, and introduces a policy on mandatory use of public health care facilities by all civil servants, public officers and State officers in the country,” the motion by nominated MP Sabina Chege reads in part.

Enforcement of the proposal is however highly unlikely amid concerns that lawmakers may join forces and shoot it down.

State officers, including lawmakers, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and CEOs of government parastatals are covered under the Public Officers Medical Scheme.

The scheme covers bills beyond the limits of SHIF packages, offering the officials significantly better treatment options compared to the taxpayers.

Additionally, State officers like lawmakers are flown abroad for treatment, a scenario that has further led to the negligence in the service delivery by SHIF, leaving millions of Kenyans at a higher risk whenever they fall sick.

The push is hinged on grounds that compelling State officers and other top government workers to primarily use SHIF, would compel lawmakers to push for sufficient budgetary allocations to the three funds besides pushing to ensure working systems from how patients are admitted and the prompt payment of claims.

Kenyans reckon that lawmakers are not keen to push for a seamless working of SHIF, given that they (MPs and senators) do not rely on the insurer for treatment.

There are three kitties under SHIF, the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund.

However, the three have been plagued by underfunding on a combination of below-par contributions from members and budgetary allocations, making it nearly impossible for Kenyans to get treatment at private health facilities.

The Treasury added a combined Sh6 billion to the Primary Healthcare Fund and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund in the supplementary budget Two which has since been approved by lawmakers.

Kenyans have been grappling with woeful services under SHIF, with most denied treatment while State officials, public, and civil servants enjoy uninterrupted services under comprehensive medical cover by the respective government agencies.

SHIF, which has three separate funds, has been plagued by funding woes despite the mandatory registration of all Kenyan adults and a compulsory contribution pegged at 7.5 percent of one’s monthly earnings.