Health Committee faults Ministry over poor public awareness of Health Funds

Health Committee faults Ministry over poor public awareness of Health Funds

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞, 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health has criticized the Ministry of Health and the Social Health Authority (SHA) for failing to allocate sufficient resources to educate the public on the benefits and packages of the three key health funds, leading to confusion, misinformation, and disinformation. The SHA oversees the administration of the Primary Health Care Fund (PHC), the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF)—all crucial components of Kenya’s universal health coverage (UHC) framework.

During a session on Thursday, Members of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health scrutinized Supplementary Estimates No. II for the 2024/2025 financial year, questioning the State Department for Medical Services over its failure to allocate funds for public awareness campaigns. 

Lawmakers raised concerns that despite SHIF facing a significant wave of misinformation and disinformation, no budgetary provisions had been made to counter the narrative through public communication and sensitization efforts.

Endebess MP Hon. (Dr.) Robert Pukose, the chairperson of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health, warned that the lack of public awareness could jeopardize the successful implementation of the three health funds. 

He called for urgent measures to bridge the information gap and ensure that Kenyans fully understand their 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 emphasized that whenever a new initiative is introduced, misinformation is inevitable, but the government must provide accurate information.

“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 added.

Dr. Pukose further noted that public discourse on the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Social Health Insurance Fund (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, highlighting the widespread misinformation about the health funds, even among lawmakers.

“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?” lamented Munene.

Lawmakers urged the Ministry of Health to take proactive steps in educating the public to ensure the success of the government’s universal health coverage plan.