The clock is ticking for Kenyans and users of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) services, as the government remains determined to roll out the new medical insurance scheme under the Social Health Authority (SHA) by the October 1, 2024, despite existing legal challenges.

This means Kenyans now have just 12 days to register for the SHA, or risk missing out on health insurance cover.

Under the scheme, all Kenyans, both contributors and dependents, are required to enroll to enjoy the health cover.

Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai said the last reimbursement under NHIF will lapse on the night of 30th September, 2024.

“Anybody who goes to hospital, is treated, discharged, inpatient or outpatient, effective 1st of October will be treated under the Social Health Authority benefits,” said PS Kimtai.

According to the ministry, Kenyans must be registered by the end of this month as members of the Social Health Insurance scheme; individuals can register by themselves or at different health facilities across the country.

“We have also made a provision that if you reach the hospital, in case of an emergency and you have not registered by that time, which we’re not encouraging, there will be an agent who would have been appointed by SHA to take care of the registration,” added PS Kimtai.

The health ministry said that from next month, employers will be required to remit what has been NHIF deductions from employees to the new scheme under the Social Health Authority.

“We have notified the employers on the process of how to register using the employers’ portal so that they are able to remit the employees’ salary for the month of October to go not to NHIF but to SHA,” Kimtai said.

Earlier this week, the ministry reported that 1.2 million Kenyans had registered with the Social Health Authority. The ministry is confident that in the less than two weeks to the new month, there is sufficient time to put everything in order to ensure a smooth transition.

Public Health PS Mary Muthoni stated: “At mashinani level where we people may not be able to get to the nearest health care facilities in good time, it is important to utilise the community health promoters at the bottom of the pyramid.”

“This one needs a drive the way we normally have campaigns…we normally have campaigns whenever we have a situation…we need to be deliberate about it and say we’re going to have a drive to register,” Council of Governors health committee chair Muthomi Njuki said.

Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa, on her part, noted: “It is not just the beginning, it has been tried and tested in Kenya since 2003…the concept has been there, and so who else to implement it? This is our time to implement.”

The new medical scheme will see every salaried Kenyan to pay 2.75 per cent of their income to the fund.

Kenyans who are not in formal employment will fill out a questionnaire to determine their annual income. They will then pay 2.75 per cent of this income, but not less than Ksh.300 every month.