Health ministry to finalize means testing model for Taifa Care by Friday

The Ministry of Health has announced that it will finalize the Means Testing Model (MTM) for Taifa Care by Friday, March 7, to ensure that vulnerable Kenyans receive necessary financial support to access healthcare services.

The development comes amidst concerns from healthcare professionals, who have attributed the challenges plaguing the health sector to the government's rushed rollout of Taifa Care.

They argue that key components, such as a proper means-testing instrument and premium financing mechanisms, were not in place before implementation. As a result, many hospitals are now denying people services.

“To ensure that those who need financial support for healthcare receive it, the Ministry will finalize the Means Testing Model (MTM) by this Friday 7th March 2025. This model will ensure that vulnerable groups are accurately identified and supported, reducing financial barriers to healthcare access,” Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa said in a press on Wednesday.

The ministry is also working on a comprehensive guide to help both healthcare providers and citizens navigate and access services under Taifa Care.

“Additionally, we are developing a manual to guide counties and healthcare providers and the citizens on how to access services under this digital model,” CS Barasa noted.

The ministry further revealed that starting next week, all payments made to health facilities by the Social Health Authority (SHA) will be publicly accessible, in a move aimed at boosting transparency and accountability within Taifa Care.

“To enhance transparency and public trust, all payments made to health facilities by the Social Health Authority (SHA) will be publicly accessible on the SHA website with effect from next week. This means that Kenyans will be able to see the hospitals who have received payments and how much they receive, ensuring that funds meant for patient care are used appropriately,” added Barasa.

“We want to emphasize that registration under Taifa Care is for planning and budgeting purposes, while payments to facilities is based on actual services provided.”

Further, the Health CS encouraged Kenyans to register and contribute for the Social Health Insurance Fund to access specialist services from level 4-6 facilities.