The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health has sharply criticized the Ministry of Health and the Social Health Authority (SHA) for failing to adequately educate the public on the benefits and details of three critical health funds. The funds—Primary Health Care Fund (PHC), Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF)—are pivotal components of Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework.
During a session on Thursday, the committee scrutinized the Supplementary Estimates No. II for the 2024/2025 financial year, specifically questioning the State Department for Medical Services on its lack of funding for public awareness campaigns. The lawmakers expressed concern that the failure to allocate resources for communication efforts had contributed to widespread confusion, misinformation, and disinformation surrounding the health funds.
Endebess MP, Hon. (Dr.) Robert Pukose, who chairs the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health, warned that the lack of public awareness could hinder the effective implementation of these funds. He called for immediate action to bridge the information gap and ensure that Kenyans fully understand their rights and entitlements under the new health financing model.
“I’ve not seen any budget allocation for public communication, yet it is clear that the ministry is struggling to inform the public about these funds. This should be a priority,” said Dr. Pukose.
He further stressed that misinformation was inevitable with any new initiative, but the government must provide accurate and timely information to counter confusion.
"As a government, we must communicate the correct information to the public, ensuring that every Kenyan understands the benefits and packages of the new health fund while also addressing any concerns they may have,” he emphasized.
Dr. Pukose also pointed out that public discourse about the Social Health Authority (SHA) and SHIF has been marred by conflicting interpretations, even among policymakers. “Mr. PS, I often watch discussions on television about these funds, and it seems that everyone has their own version of SHA and SHIF—even MPs themselves appear to have varying interpretations,” he remarked.
Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP, Hon. Patrick Munene, echoed Dr. Pukose’s concerns, sharing an incident where even lawmakers had misconceptions about the funds. "Just the other day, I watched a Member of Parliament at a burial claiming that Primary Health Care (PHC) covers minor illnesses, while SHIF is for surgeries. If even MPs do not fully grasp the framework, how do we expect the general public to understand?" Munene lamented.
Lawmakers unanimously urged the Ministry of Health to take proactive steps to educate the public to ensure the successful roll-out of the government’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) plan. They stressed that clear and consistent communication was critical to the program’s success and to the overall improvement of the country's healthcare system.
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