The Ministry of Health has confirmed Linda Mama's incorporation into Social Health Insurance Funds (SHIF), which will enhance benefits for expectant mothers.

Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary, Mary Muthoni has said Linda Mama will form part of the SHIF cover set to replace NHIF which has been bogged by corruption amid reports of fictitious claims.

“I want to assure all the mothers in this country that the government is a listening government. Linda Mama is going to be [part of] social health because the health of our mothers and children is very key.”

Further, she alluded to an ongoing public validation initiative to consider proposals to improve the Linda Mama scheme.

“It is good to note that NHIF insurance is still enforced until we roll out to Social Health Insurance Funds. Right now, what is happening is registration for Social Health Insurance. If you go to the hospital, you could be able to use the NHIF card,” she said.

Additionally, she said the government was committing Kes2 billion to enhance Linda Mama in addition to further budget support expected from ongoing rationalization efforts.

She said Linda Mama will be a cornerstone of SHIF, specifically serving expectant mothers WITH its budget.

Linda Mama, an initiative affording expectant mothers access to free delivery services, was part of the enhanced National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to curb maternal and infant mortality.