Cabinet approves scrapping of NHIF, three new funds to be introduced

The Cabinet, following a meeting presided over by President William Ruto at the Kakamega State Lodge on Tuesday, approved three Bills that will repeal NHIF and in its place establish three funds: Primary Healthcare Fund; Social Health Insurance Fund; and Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.

A despatch issued by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed indicated that the Bills; Primary Health Care Bill, 2023; Digital Health Bill, 2023; Facility Improvement Financing Bill, 2023; and Social Health Insurance Bill, 2023 would be transmitted to Parliament for approval.

"These Bills usher in a paradigm in the legal and institutional framework for healthcare in Kenya by repealing the current National Health Insurance Fund and establishing in its place the following funds: Primary Healthcare Fund; Social Health Insurance Fund; and Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund," said the Cabinet.

The Digital Health Bill, according to the Cabinet Dispatch,  will enable the development of standards towards the provision of m-health, telemedicine, and e-learning in healthcare.

"This new architecture is expected to provide a framework for improved health outcomes and financial protection of families in fidelity to the State’s solemn duty to guarantee the health and welfare of all her citizens," noted the Cabinet.

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