Health CS Barasa urges politicians to help mobilise Kenyans register for SHA

Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa has urged political leaders to help enlighten Kenyans over Social Health Authority (SHA) registration, saying registered Kenyans are benefiting from the scheme.

Speaking on Sunday in Kapenguria West, Pokot County, the CS said her ministry is determined to ensure every Kenyan can access affordable healthcare but there is a need for collective responsibility in registering for the new public health scheme.

“One of the challenges we have noted is on community sensitization; we encourage the political elite; MCAs, MPs, governors and senators to talk about SHA to ensure people are registering,” Dr Barasa said.

“We should give targets to our political elite in terms of sensitization and the number of people registering.”

And amid cries from Kenyans unable to access healthcare due to the dysfunctional SHA rollout, Barasa maintained that “services are being offered and people are being treated but the challenge has been with sensitization.”

The CS said all issues will be ironed out to make the scheme a success.

“We had a Ksh.19 billion with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and have managed to pay Ksh.5 billion. Another Ksh.2.5 billion is on its way in the coming weeks. By the end of November, all the contracted facilities will receive their first SHA payment,” she added.