The Ministry of Health says that all Cancer screenings, diagnostics, and treatments would be fully covered under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Speaking on Citizen TV, the health CS acknowledged the current National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) system's limitations while stating that significant reforms have been implemented to address the gaps, particularly for chronic illnesses such as cancer.
"It is true that currently NHIF does not cover screening and some of the diagnostics and that is one of the reasons we have reformed NHIF," said Nakhumicha.
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"Specifically for Cancer, we have ensured that we are covering screening and diagnostics at 100 per cent; we have ensured that all treatment for Cancer is covered 100 per cent because we have a publicly funded primary health system where most of the screening and diagnostics will happen." she added.
The Health CS emphasized the Emergency, Critical, and Chronic Illness Fund, designed to assist those suffering extreme health issues, highlighting an important part of the reformed system.
"Once we kick in to the secondary care, we have the Social Health Insurance and that is where your insurance will be taking care of you without exclusion or hesitation. But the best of the Social Health Authority is the third fund which is the Emergency, Critical and Chronic Illness Fund," she said.
Implementing and enforcing the Social Health Insurance Fund Act 2023, the Primary Health Care Act 2023, and the Digital Health Act 2023 will be delayed after a court ruling.
This ruling comes less than a week after Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha issued a Gazette notice operationalizing the Social Health Insurance Fund.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) gained court rulings preventing the government from implementing the universal health coverage envisioned in the statutes, the implementation of which President William Ruto had announced would begin in January 2024.
