Public officers in Homa Bay County have been urged to play a leading role in sensitizing members of the public on the benefits of registering with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to enhance access to quality healthcare services across the country.
Speaking during a sensitization forum on SHA services for public servants held at Tom Mboya University on Thursday, Director of Human Resource Policy in the Ministry of Public Service and Human Capital Development, David Okoth, said creating public awareness and identifying challenges affecting implementation are essential to the success of the government’s health reforms.
Okoth noted that the government’s development agenda is anchored on social, economic, and political pillars, with human capital development serving as one of the key foundations for building a productive, healthy, and globally competitive workforce.
He said public officers are strategically placed to educate citizens on the importance of enrolling in SHA and accessing healthcare services through the scheme.
Homa Bay County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi emphasized that SHA registration remains an important performance indicator in measuring implementation progress across government institutions. Although enrollment has improved in recent months, he observed that more effort is needed to increase registration and improve public understanding of the programme.
Mwiwawi said public servants interact with citizens daily and therefore have a responsibility to provide accurate information on government health reforms and address concerns raised by members of the public.
“A healthy nation starts with a healthy public service,” he said, urging officers to familiarize themselves with SHA policies and procedures so they can effectively explain the benefits of the programme and guide wananchi through the registration process.
He further underscored the importance of an efficient public service in promoting good governance and national development, calling on officers to support government initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and improving access to affordable medical services.
Officials acknowledged that implementation of SHA has faced several challenges over the past two years, including misinformation, misconceptions, and inadequate public awareness, which have slowed registration in some areas.
Participants were encouraged to intensify public education campaigns to counter false information and promote informed decision-making among citizens.
The sensitization also covered the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF), with participants informed that the medical cover extends to the principal member, spouse, and eligible children, including adopted children and dependents living with disabilities, subject to the scheme’s conditions.
Facilitators clarified that while the scheme provides both inpatient and outpatient services, exclusions include treatment in non-contracted health facilities, self-prescribed treatment, and services outside the approved benefits package.
The facilitators reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s healthcare system and called on public officers to become ambassadors of the reforms by promoting SHA registration and helping build a healthier nation.
By Irene Barasa and Davis Langat
