Challenges of the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Health sector insiders have identified challenges in the nationwide implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA).

The chair of the National Assembly's Health Committee sees insufficient funding and a lack of willingness to contribute as the main reasons why Kenyans cannot effectively utilize SHA benefits. Only 4 million of the 20 million registered Kenyans are entitled to all SHA benefits, as they are the sole contributors to the fund. 20 million people are now registered, but only 4 million have paid into SHIF. They are only entitled to benefits from the Primary Care Fund and the Emergency Fund, but the money has not been paid into them. Why were they registered as SHA even though they have not paid into SHIF? Because these two funds come from the government, and therefore they are entitled to these benefits even if they have not paid anything. The beneficiaries of the now-defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) were exclusively contributors. However, he says that the SHA has three funds, and all Kenyans are only entitled to two of the services: Primary Health Care and Emergency and Critical Care. The nationwide implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA) in Kenya is a significant step towards reforming the country's health sector. The SHA was introduced as part of the Social Health Insurance Act (2023), which is intended to replace the existing National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) system. Its goal is to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) and ensure that all Kenyans have access to high-quality and affordable health services. The question remains why the NHIF was abolished, because universal health coverage could have been implemented without the SHA. It's not about the name. It's about implementation. Also read: https://afrikamonamour.blogspot.com/2025/03/why-sha-is-not-working.html https://afrikamonamour.blogspot.com/2025/03/sha-sh114b-payouts-spark-fears-of.html https://afrikamonamour.blogspot.com/2025/03/nhif-against-sha.html @Standard