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| Kang’ata Care beneficiaries migrated to SHA |
Over 42,000 members of Kang’ata Care programme that offers free health insurance covers to vulnerable households have been urged to register afresh as the state transitions to Social Health Authority (SHA).
The programme established in 2022 through a memorandum of understanding with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) targets households with chronic illnesses, orphans, people living with disabilities and extremely poor homesteads.
Beneficiaries access free and quality healthcare and a last expense cover that provides Sh100,000 when a principal beneficiary passes away and Sh50,000 when a dependant dies.
But Governor Irungu Kang’ata has announced that the programme will undergo changes as it aligns with the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) being rolled out by the national government.
“The national government has announced that effective October 1, NHIF’s mandate will end and the country will migrate to SHA. You are advised to visit the dispensary nearest to you to register,” a notice by the governor said.
The governor announced the transition will affect some components of Kang’ata Care programme as SHA will not offer the last expense cover.
The county, he noted, floated a tender for the cover that was won by Britam.
The new cover has, however, introduced an age limit and will exclude members who are over 75 years of age.
“In the event of demise of a principal member, the benefits that will apply include a last expense sum of Sh100,000 and secondary school fees of Sh25,000.
“In the event of marriage by the principal member, a marriage benefit of Sh10,000 will apply and in the event of birth by the principal member, a child benefit of Sh10,000”.
Governor Kang’ata further said he will follow up on unpaid 430 last expense claims made by the county government even after the transition was undertaken.
SHA requires salaried Kenyans to pay 2.75 per cent of their monthly gross income compared to NHIF that charged varying premiums.
NHIF deducted between Sh150 to Sh1,700 from salaried workers, Sh500 from the self-employed, Sh750 from those earning Sh20,000, Sh1,200 from those earning Sh50,000 and Sh1,700 for Kenyans earning Sh100,000 and above.
Under SHA, the minimum monthly premium has been reduced from Sh500 to Sh300 in a move aimed at reducing the burden for low income earners.
Both national and county governments will contribute for vulnerable Kenyans with the national government contributing Sh13,300 per person.
Kenyans have, however, cast doubt on the new scheme saying the benefits do not match the deductions.
by ALICE WAITHERA