Govt To Change NHIF's Name

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has announced that President William Ruto's government is set to rebrand the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Speaking during the Inaugural National Cancer Summit Kenya 2023 Launch at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi on Thursday, February 2, Nakhumicha revealed that the government plans to change NHIF's name.

The insurance fund, one of the most critical government organisations in Kenya, will be called the National Social Health Insurance Fund (NSHIF).

"I want to declare here today that I shall be moving it from National Health Insurance Fund to a National Social Health Insurance Fund," she announced, much to the applause of guests in attendance.

She explained that the purpose of the rebrand was to drive universal healthcare from the grassroots, by and for the grassroots level.

Nakhumicha added that there is already in place a team working on the successful rollout of NSHIF in the next few months.

"The NSHIF is going to leave no one behind. Every Kenyan is going to have access to healthcare," she added.

She further termed the rebrand as the next step in its evolution from the National Hospital Insurance Fund.

"I want to thank Governor Anyang' Nyong'o, and as he has said, when he was the Minister for Health, he moved from a National Hospital Insurance Fund to a National Health Insurance Fund," she added.

Furthermore, as part of enhancing Universal Healthcare, the government will be employing 90,000 community healthcare workers that will help especially in driving out the cancer menace in the country.

President Ruto had appointed former Transport Cabinet Secretary, Michael Kamau to be the Chairperson of the NHIF board in reforms touching on the fund, especially its payment structure.

"As I take over my new role, I am alive to the challenges the Fund has experienced in its efforts to ensure that every Kenyan has access to affordable health cover, which is a priority of the government.

"With prayers to the Almighty God and the support of all people of goodwill, I look forward to working with the NHIF Board and management to actualise its dream to provide accessible, affordable, sustainable, equitable and quality social health insurance through optimal utilisation of resources," he stated on December 24, 2022.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recounted how Eng. Kamau went through eight years without peace and was subjected to scorn and humiliation while revealing that his appointment brings experience and efficiency to the institution.

He said NHIF is critical in implementing the Kenya Kwanza Plan of realizing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for all Kenyans. 

Former Transport CS, Michael Kamau with President William Ruto. /KDRTV