Waiguru asks Ministry of Health to review SHA monthly payment deadline for counties

Waiguru said some employees of County Governments across the country are unable to benefit from SHA medical cover due to the late remittance of their contributions when the exchequer is delayed.

She pointed out that since County Governments are not to blame for the delayed remittance of the workers' contributions, staff from the devolved units should be exempted from the monthly payment deadline.

Speaking during the launch of the National Government’s Health Digitization Initiative at the County Headquarters in Kutus, Waiguru, however, said SHA is working and asked Kenyans to continue enrolling.

She urged Kenyans to ignore politicians who are busy speaking ill of the medical cover instead of helping to offer solutions so that people can benefit.

“Evidence is there to show SHA is working, and some of those who are registered have gone to our medical facilities and accessed medical services. So far, the County Government has received Ksh. 75 million from SHA as payment for services provided to patients,” she said.

The County boss said the devolved unit has also achieved significant milestones in advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by prioritizing the enrollment of residents into SHA, with 262,643 residents already registered, representing 43% of the county population.

The Governor said the County aims to increase SHA registration to 65% of residents by December 2025.

Waiguru stated that digitizing health systems will ensure that health facilities are more streamlined, with real-time access to patient data, enhanced care coordination, and reduced administrative burdens.

“The shift to a digital platform will enhance the efficiency of our healthcare services, reduce paperwork, and ensure that healthcare professionals have access to real-time patient data, helping them make better, more informed decisions,” she added.

Kirinyaga becomes the third county to roll out the health digitization initiative, which will involve training health workers on the use of the Electronic Health Information System (EHIS), providing tablets and devices to health facilities and workers, and transitioning to a non-paper-based system.

“By embracing digital solutions, we are laying the foundation for a healthcare system that is more transparent and ultimately more responsive to the needs of our citizens, moving toward the vision of universal health coverage,” the Governor noted.

She mentioned that Kirinyaga has made significant strides in digitizing its health services, with Kerugoya County Referral Hospital already using the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) to deliver seamless healthcare services.

Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai commended Governor Waiguru for her leadership and advocacy in advancing the digitization agenda.

“Governor Waiguru lobbied for this program during her tenure as Chair of the Council of Governors and played a key role in shaping its strategy,” he said.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to digital transformation, emphasizing the full operationalization of SHA.

“SHA is fully operational, and our priority is to ensure that every citizen benefits from this transformative system,” he stated.

President William Ruto’s Senior Advisor Moses Kuria asked private and faith-based hospitals to embrace SHA because “it is here to stay.” He emphasized that SHA is fully operational and that all hiccups witnessed during the roll-out have been sorted out.

“The goal is to automate and make Kirinyaga the third fully paperless county in healthcare, ensuring an evidence-based system,” he stated.