As the government rolls out the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), questions arise about whether it will meet its ambitious goals or follow the same path as the Huduma Number, a national project that was meant to transform service delivery but eventually floundered.
The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) in Kenya was introduced as part of the healthcare reforms.
The plan was officially unveiled in 2023, with the aim of transforming the country’s healthcare system by providing affordable, universal health coverage for all Kenyans.
SHIF is intended to replace the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and is part of President Ruto’s broader strategy to reduce healthcare costs and ensure equitable access to medical services across the country.
The SHIF initiative aims to provide affordable health insurance coverage to all Kenyans, particularly the underprivileged, promising better access to healthcare services.
The plan is bold, addressing long-standing concerns about the country’s healthcare system. But memories of the Huduma Number’s failure still linger, raising concerns over the feasibility and sustainability of this new initiative.
Huduma Number, launched in 2019 with similar lofty goals of consolidating citizens’ information into a single digital ID system, ended up riddled with legal challenges, delays, and questions of mismanagement.
Critics argue that the new government-backed SHIF might face the same hurdles if not handled with a stronger commitment to transparency, public engagement, and improved infrastructure.
Experts also warn of potential overlaps with existing systems, such as the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), which could cause confusion and redundancy.
Some fear that a lack of clear implementation strategy or public awareness could undermine SHIF’s success, just as poor communication marred Huduma Number’s rollout.
As SHIF moves forward, Kenyans are cautiously optimistic but remain skeptical. Will this new health insurance initiative thrive, or will it become another underwhelming project like Huduma Number?
Only time will tell, but the government must learn from past mistakes to avoid a repeat of history.
