President William Ruto on Monday expressed optimism that the challenges Kenyans are facing with the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA), now rebranded as Taifa Care, will be addressed soon.
Speaking at the 11th National and County Governments Coordinating Summit held at State House, Nairobi, Ruto acknowledged the hurdles but attributed them to the ambitious scale of the new healthcare program.
“Taifa Care is overcoming technological and operational challenges to ensure that every citizen, regardless of status or means, has access to quality, affordable healthcare,” Ruto stated. He described the initiative as bold and unprecedented, assuring Kenyans that the issues would soon be resolved.
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The SHA program has faced widespread criticism for its limited benefits and complaints from citizens struggling to access healthcare since the October transition. However, both President Ruto and Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa have urged Kenyans to be patient, defending the program's vision and objectives.
Under Taifa Care, all Kenyans are required to contribute 2.75% of their income, with a minimum payment of Ksh.300. During his November 21 State of the Nation address, Ruto revealed that over 15 million Kenyans had already enrolled in the scheme.
Despite the challenges, the President remains confident that Taifa Care will deliver on its promise of affordable, inclusive healthcare for all Kenyans.
