NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 22 – The Ministry of Health has invited public comments on the Social Health Insurance Act that seeks to pave way for the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Fund.
In a notice to the public, Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha called on interested parties to submit written comments on the draft regu
lations to the health ministry.
The court of appeal had Friday lifted an order barring the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Fund, paving way for public participation.
A three-judge bench directed that certain provisions remain suspended pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the State.
This includes Section 26(5) which makes registration and contribution a precondition for dealing with or accessing public services from the national and county governments or their entities.
The government filed the petition seeking the Appellate court to intervene and lift the orders granted by the High court stopping the rolling out of the SHIF.
The Social Health Insurance Act stipulates that all non-Kenyans who reside in the country shall be eligible for registration as members of the Fund.
This applies to a non-Kenyan resident ordinarily residing in Kenya for a period exceeding 12 months.
However, a non-Kenyan who intends to enter and remain in the country for less than 12 months shall be required to have travel health insurance coverage.
The defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is expected to transfer all the cash balances to the Social Health Insurance Fund.
