National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged Members of Parliament to take a leading role in drumming up support for the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The Speaker said politicians have the capacity to mobilise wananchi to register for the new health scheme because they meet them in many public forums at the grassroots.
Wetang’ula also called on Governors to use county resources to step up SHA registration to enable the majority of Kenyans benefit from the new medical insurance.
“An example is the Murang’a Governor who has used county resources to register members of households with SHA and I urge all governors to follow suit because health care is devolved,” he added.
While giving examples of individuals who have benefitted from the new scheme, Wetang’ula urged the public to shun critics who, he said, were discouraging them from registering with the scheme.
He took issue with some MPs who have launched a spirited campaign against the scheme, terming it unethical to oppose the scheme, a product of legislation they passed in Parliament.
“It is embarrassing to see some MPs using forums such as funerals to campaign against the new medical scheme. This is the law you enacted and you should not oppose it,” he added.
Said Wetang’ula: “Murangá, Nyeri, Kirinyaga and Embu are among the counties leading in the number of people registered under the new scheme. We should emulate them.”
The message was echoed by Cabinet Secretary for Health, Dr. Deborah Barasa who maintained that the government remains committed to achieving Universal Health Coverage for all Kenyans.
She encouraged leaders to actively engage with their communities during this festive season to promote SHA registration, reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing quality healthcare for all Kenyans.
“Increased SHA registration directly strengthens our health facilities, ensuring they can offer better services to the public,” she said.
The national government, through the Ministry of Health, has revealed plans to collaborate with devolved units to enhance Social Health Authority (SHA) mass registration.
A 30-day registration drive is set to be launched in mid-January 2025 to ensure more Kenyans, if not all, are registered, the CS said.
“It is the intention of the government to ensure that all Kenyans benefit from this programme. That explains why there is need for each and every Kenyan to register. We don’t want to leave anyone out,” she stressed.
