Kenyans are dissatisfied with the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) under the new Social Health Authority (SHA) board.
The SHIF is set to roll out in October 2024, but experts warn that the deductions do not tally with the expected healthcare benefits. Below is a list of the monthly salary deductions under SHIF.
Rates: Salary SHIF deductions per month
- Sh10,000: Sh275
- Sh15,000: Sh412
- Sh20,000: Sh550
- Sh30,000: Sh825
- Sh50,000: Sh1,375
- Sh70,000:Sh1,925
- Sh100,000: Sh2,750
- Sh150,000:Sh4125
- Sh200,000: Sh5,500
- Sh500,000: Sh13,750
- Sh1 million: Sh27,500
- Sh5 milllion:Sh137,500
- Sh10 million:Sh275,000
For normal deliveries, SHIF allocates Sh11,200, but the market rate for hospital deliveries starts at around Sh80,000.
This gap raises questions about whether the allocation is sufficient.
For Caesarean sections (C-sections), SHIF offers Sh32,600, while in major hospitals, C-sections can cost between Sh100,000 and Sh150,000. Again, the allocation seems too low to cover real costs.
The scheme allots Sh2,000 per household for dental services, with a limit of Sh650 for specific treatments like tooth extractions and Sh750 for other procedures like dry socket debridement.
Other capped benefits include Sh1,000 for suturing, Sh1,200 for periodontal treatment, and Sh300 for screening and consultation. Many are concerned these amounts are not enough to meet healthcare needs.
Kenyans speak for themselves, citing pain after pain. After just a year, employees still haven’t recovered from the housing levy and NSSF deductions, and now they’re facing additional costs.
The thought of paying Sh104 billion solely for the system and to a foreign company stings deeply.
