The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health has expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023.
The Committee also commended the transition of Universal Healthcare Workers to permanent and pensionable terms, as well as the recapitalisation of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
Speaking in Mombasa after concluding a two-day meeting with the Ministry of Health and its agencies, Committee Chairperson Dr. James Nyikal commended the Ministry’s reform efforts and presentations.
“We were particularly focused on the utilisation of the money that has been allocated for the Primary Healthcare Fund, which is Sh13 billion that has been allocated to the Ministry and Sh8 billion for the Emergency and Critical Care fund, and the contributions coming from the members,” said Dr. Nyikal.
He further stated that SHA has informed the Committee that, by collaborating with the Council of Governors, they will establish a process to ensure that the funds support SHA in service delivery, including Level 2, 3, and 4 health facilities.
“The Ministry will have a meeting with the Council of Governors to put in place structures that will make sure that this works well and properly in a coordinated manner throughout the country,” stated Dr. Nyikal.
Regarding the contracted Universal Healthcare Workers, Dr. Nyikal stated that Parliament has allocated Sh6.2 billion to facilitate their transition to permanent and pensionable terms.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed that the transition will begin this July, with the workers being absorbed into county governments.
“We will look for more money in the next budget. The available money now is enough to support this year, and next year again it will be in the budget,” said Dr. Nyikal, adding that Sh4.2 billion has been set aside for medical interns.
Dr. Nyikal termed the Ministry’s plans to tame fraudulent claims in SHA as ‘plausible’.
The Chairman also said they brainstormed on how the Sh1.5 billion allocated to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) will ensure a steady supply of drugs to all healthcare facilities.
“The money that is for Primary Healthcare and will be going to the facilities—level 2, level 3 and level 4 should also be important in supporting KEMSA because when these facilities get that money, they will use the money to buy drugs from KEMSA,” he stated.
“They are putting in place a structure to ensure that money enables KEMSA to get paid for all drugs they deliver so that we have deliverable drugs in the system throughout the year,” he added.
By Sadik Hassan
