30 November 2023 Kenya's enactment of new laws moves towards Universal Health Coverage
Three healthcare related legislative acts (Acts) signed into law in Kenya became operational this month (November 2023). The new laws aim to broaden the scope of public healthcare, provide healthcare and financial protection to all Kenyan citizens and long-term residents, while also bringing about significant changes in healthcare financing and administration. Following enactment of the new laws, on 27 November 2023 the High Court of Kenya issued a conservatory order restraining the government and its agents from implementing and or enforcing the relevant Acts of Parliament until 7 February 2024, effectively postponing implementation of these new healthcare laws. Kenya has made notable progress in its pursuit of universal health coverage (UHC) through enactment of four acts (one of which is not yet effective). These Acts, namely the Primary Health Care Act, Digital Health Act, Facility Improvement Financing Act and Social Health Insurance Act, are aimed at revolutionizing the healthcare sector in the country. The Primary Health Care Act and the Digital Health Act became operational on 2 November 2023, and the Social Health Insurance Act came into operation on 22 November 2023. The Social Health Insurance Act established the Social Health Authority under which three funds have been created: the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund. All the funds, assets and other property held by National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Board vested in the Social Health Authority effective 22 November 2023. The NHIF Board is required to wind up the National Hospital Insurance Fund within one year from the stated effective date but the National Health Insurance Fund Act, 1998 is repealed. This alert provides details on the three Acts that became operational in November, and emphasizes the provisions that will have a significant impact on Kenyan citizens, foreign nationals and employers. Kenya has made significant strides in its efforts to achieve UHC by implementing various strategies. The Kenya Primary Healthcare Strategic Framework 2019–2024 places a strong emphasis on primary health care (PHC) as the key driver for achieving UHC. Additionally, the Community Health Policy 2020–2030 recognizes community health as a crucial entry point into the overall health system. However, it highlights the need for a legal framework to ensure proper remuneration for community health workers, who have historically relied on donor funding. To address these challenges, the government has enacted the Primary Health Care Act, which aims to strengthen PHC as part of a comprehensive health legislation package to advance UHC. One of the key provisions of the Act establishes primary care networks (PCNs) and formalizes community health delivery through community health promoters organized in community health units. The main objective of the Digital Health Act is to provide a solid legal foundation for healthcare financing, service provision and UHC, while also enhancing the legal framework surrounding these areas. One key provision of the Act establishes the Digital Health Agency, which is tasked with creating a Comprehensive Integrated Health Information System. The Social Health Insurance Act, 2023 (SHI Act) introduces a comprehensive scheme for social health insurance, aiming to provide financial protection and equal access to healthcare services.
This fund will focus on procuring primary services from healthcare facilities. The fund shall receive contributions from:
This fund will address emergency and chronic illness costs once the social health insurance benefits are exhausted. It serves as a safety net for individuals facing significant healthcare expenses due to unforeseen emergencies or long-term chronic conditions. The fund shall receive contributions from:
The Social Health Insurance Fund will cover services provided by healthcare facilities. The following monies shall be paid into the Fund:
Registration shall be conducted continuously at various points in such manner as shall be prescribed by the Cabinet Secretary (CS). Any non-Kenyan who intends to enter and remain in the territory of Kenya for a period of less than 12 months must be in possession of travel health insurance coverage as may be designated by the CS.
Failure to make timely contribution payments will result in a penalty equivalent to 2% of the unpaid contribution for the period in question and the total annual contribution. Any employer who fails to pay any contributions to the fund as a contributing employer or who makes unauthorized deductions from employees shall be liable for a fine not exceeding two million Kenya Shillings (KES 2m) or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years. Any person who, for the purpose of obtaining a benefit, makes any false statements or representation shall also be liable to a similar fine or imprisonment. The CS in consultation with the board will draft regulations to prescribe the amount and rates of contributions payable to the Fund. As at the date of this alert, the CS has not issued any regulations. All Kenyan citizens, all foreigners who are ordinarily resident in Kenya and all persons including employers who are liable to contribute to the Social Health Insurance Fund should look out for notices and/or regulations prescribing the registration process, rates of contributions, the due dates for the contributions and all matters incidental to the contributions.
Document ID: 2023-1968 | |