Taifa Care enrollment hits 17 million as gov't pushes UHC goals

Speaking during a tour of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on Wednesday, the Deputy President highlighted significant progress in the program's implementation, noting that 17 million Kenyans are now registered under Taifa Care.

During the visit,  DP Kindiki assessed service delivery, engaged with patients and health workers, and identified areas requiring improvement. 

He emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing logistical and operational challenges to ensure healthcare services are delivered efficiently and on time.

DP Kindiki praised KNH, Kenya's premier public health facility, for its dedication to providing world-class healthcare. "We commend the hospital leadership for working tirelessly to ensure KNH remains a leading healthcare provider in the region," he said.

He also visited various departments, including trauma care, the maternity center, and the non-communicable diseases (NCD) wing. 

The Deputy President highlighted the near-completion of the hospital’s Kidney Institute, which is set to be inaugurated by President William Ruto in the coming weeks.

The Deputy President noted that most initial challenges under the UHC program have been resolved, with the government actively addressing outstanding issues. 

"We are working to unclog the bottlenecks," Prof. Kindiki assured. He added that the government is incrementally settling historical debts under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) as part of the transition to Taifa Care.

Key benefits of Taifa Care include streamlined claim approvals, enhanced post-transplant care, and improved access to healthcare services across the country. "Even the approval for claims is taking record time," he noted.

DP Kindiki urged Kenyans to register under the State Health Assurance (SHA) program to benefit from the comprehensive coverage offered by Taifa Care. "It’s important for us to ensure that all Kenyans have access to quality healthcare," he said.

The Deputy President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to monitoring the program’s impact and ensuring its success. "We are very sure that Taifa Care will work. This exercise of impact monitoring and assessment will continue," he stated.