The Cabinet has given its approval for the establishment of three new funds that will replace the existing National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).

A communication from the cabinet indicates that a meeting presided over by President William Ruto has given the green light to the creation of the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.

This development follows the endorsement of four pivotal bills aimed at expediting the achievement of affordable and high-quality universal health coverage.

These bills, after careful consideration and sanctioning to foster healthcare advancement, are as follows:

The Primary Health Care Bill, 2023;

The Digital Health Bill, 2023;

The Facility Improvement Financing Bill, 2023;

The Social Health Insurance Bill, 2023.

meanwhile, the Cabinet stresses the new framework’s goal: enhance health outcomes, safeguard families’ finances, and uphold citizens’ health and well-being commitment.

President William Ruto has made an appeal to legislators for the endorsement of this program in the parliament.

Additionally, the President has characterized this initiative as a meticulously devised strategy aimed at assuring unrestricted access to superior healthcare.

Ruto expressed that the program covers community health promoters, social insurance, and digital health systems as key components.

Also, President Ruto stressed restructuring the National Health Insurance Fund’s payment model to ensure Kenyan citizens contribute proportionally to their income.

Additionally, the government plans to empower community health promoters to strengthen the country’s preventive healthcare services.

President Ruto delivered these remarks in Emuhaya, Vihiga County, during the inauguration of the Emuhaya sub-county hospital’s general ward, which has a capacity of 90 beds and is fully equipped with medical and surgical facilities.