The new healthcare insurance plan introduced by the Kenya Kwanza Government is a game-changer for underprivileged Kenyans, this is according to UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar Hassan

Omar says that the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) healthcare plan, introduced by President William Ruto’s administration, will provide a comprehensive health coverage to all Kenyans, including the poor, replacing the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Implemented on 1 October 2024, the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) scheme has been faced with numerous challenges, including but not limited to delays in registering patients and processing of claims from the defunct NHIF, something that has seen patients forced to pay for treatment from their pocket in both public and private hospitals across the country.

Report suggest that cancer patients have also been forced to pay cash for the services, because facilities are owed close to KSh2 billion by the government through the former NHIF.

The new healthcare plan has been at the centre of a tiff between Catholic church and the government. The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops released a hard-hitting statement, alleging that the government owes faith-based hospitals billions of shillings through the NHIF.

Omar, who is also an East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP, was speaking on Saturday, November 16 during the UDA Comrades Chapter – Gusii Edition in Kisii Town.

The forum saw hundreds of university and college students converge at the Kamel Park Hotel, to engage with top luminaries of the ruling party on issues affecting them.

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