The Ministry of Interior’s National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) will lead the efforts to register Kenyans for the Social Health Authority (SHA) ahead of its launch next week. These officers will use a similar approach to the one employed in registering 6 million farmers for the subsidized fertilizer program.
This collaboration between the Interior and Health ministries comes as the government aims to enroll 12 million households into the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program during its first phase of implementation.
"NGAOs are well-equipped to deliver. Just like we efficiently registered farmers for the subsidized fertilizer program at minimal cost, we are prepared to effectively handle the UHC registration in the same manner," saidInterior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki during a meeting at the Kenya School of Government on Wednesday.
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The Ministry of Interior has made its officers available from the sub-location level up to the eight regional offices. These officers will be responsible for coordinating the UHC registration process, utilizing their extensive network that spans eight regions, 47 counties, and over 9,000 sub-locations to encourage mass enrollment.
Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa acknowledged the NGAOs' efforts, stating, "Your remarkable work, community connections, and prompt sensitization efforts have brought us here today. We need your expertise to raise awareness because our priority is to ensure people register."
The Ministry of Health aims to register 12 million households, equating to about 38 million people, into the SHA. Currently, 1.6 million individuals have already been registered, with the ministry stressing that SHA registration is mandatory.
"Every Regional Commissioner will be accountable for their region, and daily updates must be provided. It will be your responsibility to ensure we hit the 12 million target," added CS Kindiki.
Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai highlighted the importance of the registration, saying, "The benefits include identifying indigent households so the government can cover their costs, which is why the registration is compulsory. We are enforcing the Act as it stands."
As the registration drive picks up, the government is also urging its officers to counter misinformation that may hinder public acceptance of SHA. "At the community level, information dissemination is lacking, and social media is filled with content that could negatively impact SHA," noted CS Barasa.
The two ministries have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the successful rollout of UHC, a key government agenda.
