Free healthcare for all Kenyans from January 2024, President Ruto vows
All Kenyan citizens will enjoy full health benefits at little to no cost under the government’s Universal Healthcare Coverage programme from January 2024.
This was promised by the country’s president, William Ruto, during a church service on Sunday, November 19, 2023, in Sotik Bomet County.
The Universal Health Coverage programme is a health financing program being introduced by the Kenyan government to create equal health opportunities for citizens.
"Starting from January, we are reducing NHIF (National Hospital Insurance Fund) payments to the second level. The amount will be lowered to 300 shillings. I told them, and for those who cannot afford to pay, on the 13th, the Kenyan government will cover it. We will assess the condition of each citizen, and as a nation, every one of us will be treated in hospitals, and receive home care without being asked for money. This is because we want to ensure that our country progresses," he said as captured in an NTV Kenya video posted on social media.
Kenya’s President in October this year signed four revolutionary and progressive Universal Health Coverage bills.
The Primary Health Care Act 2023, the Digital Health Act 2023, the Facility Improvement Financing Act 2023 and the Social Health Insurance Act 2023 will replace the National Health Insurance Fund.
According to Ruto, the Primary Healthcare Fund will purchase services from health facilities at levels 1 to 3 while the Social Insurance Fund will cover services at levels 4 to 6.
The Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund will handle emergency and chronic illness costs once social health insurance is depleted.
This is in line with Article 43 (2) of the Constitution which states that no Kenyan should be denied emergency medical treatment.
