Gov’t to roll out UHC from January next year, Ruto insists contributions to match people's income

 At the same time, President Ruto has directed the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) and Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (Meds),  to collaborate in procuring and distributing medical supplies across the country with the aim of bringing down their costs. 

The Head of State spoke in Machakos County during the commissioning of a microbiology laboratory by the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (Meds) in Syokimau, Machakos County.

The Lab is the second of its kind in the country after the National Quality Control Laboratory and is expected to bolster local manufacturing and reduce infiltration by sub-standard medical supplies.

The new facility will increase the capacity of the lab to carry out a wider range of tests and  help fight the menace of counterfeit medicines

“This institution is a critical core in the delivery of healthcare in this country. If we put MEDS and KEMSA together, we get 80% and will help in ensuring we get our supply chain right,” said Health CS Susan Nakhumicha.

President William Ruto said: “I want to congratulate MEDS, because I have given the same instructions to KEMSA, going forward, local manufacturers take precedence over imports.”

The head of state reiterated his commitment to the implementation of universal health coverage, adding that the legal framework was now in place to actualize enhanced medical services to all Kenyans. 

Ruto directed Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha to expeditiously engage stakeholders in the health sector with the aim of finalizing the regulations by end of December.

“Good luck with that conversation and it is my intention that before the 1st of January, we will have settled that conversation so that we can effectively make sure that all Kenyans have access to Universal Health Coverage,” said Ruto.

Health CS Nakhumicha on Wednesday published a gazette notice operationalizing the Social Health Insurance Act 2023, which was signed into law by the President on 19th October 2023. 

The notice reads in part; “In exercise of the powers conferred by section 1 of the SHIF Act 2023, the cabinet secretary for health designates the 22nd of November 2023, as the date on which the SHIF Act 2023 shall come into operation”

The president insisted that the conversation must be as robust as possible and involve all the stakeholders.

 He maintained his stance on contribution to healthcare services being commensurate to earnings by individuals.

“That conversation must determine how much someone like the president pays and how much Mama Mboga pays. My view is that payment of SHIF should be commensurate to people’s income, so that those who cannot afford we finance them as government,” said Ruto. 

The head of state issued a directive for collaboration between the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) and Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS), saying their combined forces will account for over 80% of the market share and greatly reduce the prices of medical supplies in the country.