President William Ruto assents the Universal Health coverage Bill

President Ruto has assented to 4 Universal Health coverage Health Bills that will support the revamped Universal Health Coverage plan ahead of its launch at the Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kericho tomorrow.

Ruto signed the bill on Thursday afternoon at an even witnessed by Government officials including Health CS Susan Nakhumicha at State House Nairobi. 

The Social Health Insurance Bill, Digital Health Bill, Facility Improvement Bill, and Primary Health Care Bill are now official, marking a significant step towards accessible and comprehensive healthcare for all. 

The 4 Bills usher in a paradigm shift in the legal and institutional framework for healthcare in Kenya. They mark a turning point by repealing the current NHIF and establishing, in its place, three separate funds dedicated to Primary Healthcare. This strategic move is aimed at achieving Universal Health Care (UHC) in the country, bringing us closer to a healthier and more equitable future.

Health CS Susan Nakhumicha had said once Kenya has a digital healthcare law, the country will have real-time data for decision-making, among other benefits.

“It is an ambitious target to have a digital superhighway, but with my team, we are going to achieve it,” said the CS.

Speaking during the ongoing UHC conference in Kericho, the CS added, “I will never be happier when we have a system that integrates and protects patients' data,” she said.

The CS appealed to stakeholders to support the system (the law) so that it can work for Kenyans.

“We want a patient’s data to remain in the hospital, and the reason we want one identification number,” added Ms Nakhumicha during the conference.

On his part, the PS Medical Services Harry Kimtai said once the digital health bill is enacted, it will enable the Ministry of Health to integrate all healthcare services, which will pave the way for a standardised service delivery system across the country.

“Once we have this law in place, it is going to automatically initiate change management where any worker who opposes will run into problems with the government,” said Kimtai.

Primary Health Care Bill will provide a framework for the effective delivery and management of primary healthcare services using Primary Healthcare Networks (PCNs) and Community Health Units while delineating the roles of all stakeholders in the provision of primary healthcare services across the Republic of Kenya.

The Bill also seeks to entrench the role of the Community Health Promoters in the provision of community-based Primary Healthcare Services.

Further, the Facility Improvement Financing Bill will provide for an efficient, secure and accountable mechanism for the collection, retention and management of revenue derived from health services. In contrast, the Digital Health Bill will develop, operationalise and maintain the Comprehensive Integrated Management Information System to manage the core digital systems and the infrastructure required for its seamless health information exchange.