The Kenyan government is urging employers to declare their staff under the Social Health Authority (SHA) to ensure that employees can access essential health services under the national health scheme. Principal Secretary in the State Department for Medical Services, Harry Kimtai, made the call during a recent training session for Human Resource Professionals in Public Service. He emphasized the importance of registering employees on the SHA platform, noting that only 120,620 employees from 15,588 employers have been declared so far.
Kimtai stressed that employees should confirm with their Human Resource departments to ensure they are onboarded onto the employer portal, thus securing their eligibility to benefit from SHA services when needed.
“We urge Human Resource Practitioners to declare their employees on the employer portal to guarantee their eligibility to benefit under the Social Health Authority. Employees who are not declared cannot access services even if they have self-registered,” said Kimtai.
Expanding Access to Social Health Services
As part of the government’s ongoing push to expand healthcare access, the SHA has registered at least 12.7 million Kenyans, with 1,442 healthcare providers contracted to offer services to registered members. However, many employees remain unregistered due to delays or lack of awareness among employers. The government is urging immediate action to ensure all workers can benefit from SHA health services.
Human Resource Practitioners play a crucial role in this process, and Kimtai’s message highlighted the need for HR professionals to take the necessary steps to ensure that their employees are covered. He reiterated that employees who are not officially declared under SHA by their employers may face difficulties accessing healthcare services, even if they attempt to register independently.
How Employers Can Declare Their Employees Under SHA
For employers looking to declare their employees under SHA, the process is simple:
- Log in to the NHIF byproduct portal using your username and password.
- Confirm your NHIF registration details once the system pulls them up. Proceed by uploading your business registration and KRA PIN certificate.
- Input the contact person’s details and save the record. The system will send an email to set your password.
- Log on to the portal and upload the byproduct file containing the employee details. The system will check if the employees are already registered and provide their CR numbers.
- Generate the by-product reference number and make the necessary payment to finalize the declaration.
By following these steps, employers can ensure their workforce is properly declared under the Social Health Authority, safeguarding their access to essential health benefits.
How Kenyans Can Self-Register
In addition to employers declaring their employees, Kenyans can also self-register with SHA by dialing *147# or visiting the SHA websites at sha.go.ke or afyangu.go.ke.
This government initiative is part of broader efforts to ensure that all Kenyans, particularly those employed in formal and informal sectors, have access to affordable healthcare services. SHA aims to cover a wide range of healthcare needs, ensuring that registered members can receive care at over 1,400 healthcare facilities nationwide.
Enhancing Healthcare Access for All
With millions already registered under SHA, the government’s next focus is to bridge the gap in employer declarations. Human Resource departments have been tasked with taking immediate steps to declare all employees to avoid service disruption for workers needing healthcare.
The call to action from PS Kimtai comes at a crucial time, as healthcare access continues to be a priority for the Kenyan government. Through SHA, millions of Kenyans now have access to essential health services, and the initiative aims to further streamline healthcare access for both employers and employees across the country.
In line with the government’s vision for universal health coverage, SHA’s registration drive is expected to enhance healthcare equity, ensuring that more Kenyans, regardless of their financial status or geographic location, can receive the care they need.
Securing a Healthier Future
Employers across Kenya are encouraged to act swiftly to declare their staff, ensuring that no employee is left behind in accessing vital health services under the SHA scheme. By doing so, they are not only fulfilling their statutory obligations but also contributing to a healthier, more productive workforce.
With the SHA continuing to grow and evolve, the government’s efforts are poised to improve healthcare outcomes for millions of Kenyans, ensuring a brighter, healthier future for all.
