he Linda Mama program, now integrated into Kenya’s Social Health Authority (SHA), continues to provide essential maternal healthcare services to expectant mothers across the country. This initiative ensures that pregnant women have access to free delivery services, including both normal deliveries and Caesarean sections (C-sections), thereby promoting maternal and child health.
Understanding the Linda Mama Package
The Linda Mama package offers comprehensive coverage for maternal healthcare services, including:
- Antenatal Care (ANC): Coverage for up to four prenatal clinic visits.
- Delivery Services: Covers both normal deliveries and C-sections.
- Postnatal Care (PNC): Includes up to four postnatal clinic visits, as well as inpatient and outpatient services.
- Infant Care: Provides outpatient services for the newborn.
Financial Coverage for Delivery Services
Under the enhanced SHA framework, the reimbursement rates for delivery services have been revised to better support healthcare facilities and ensure quality care:
- Normal Delivery: The SHA allocates KES 11,200 for normal deliveries.
- Caesarean Section (C-Section): For C-sections, the SHA provides KES 32,600.
These allocations represent a significant increase from the previous rates under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which were KES 2,500 for normal deliveries and KES 5,000 for C-sections.
Registration and Eligibility
To access the Linda Mama services under the SHA, expectant mothers are required to register at their preferred healthcare facilities during antenatal visits. During registration, a means test is conducted to determine the cost of services required, enabling the SHA to calculate the appropriate remittance.
Enhanced Benefits Under SHA
The integration of Linda Mama into the SHA has expanded the program’s benefits:
- Comprehensive Family Coverage: The enhanced package allows mothers to include their household members, including spouses and children, providing broader healthcare support for the family.
Accessing Linda Mama Services
Linda Mama services are available in all public health facilities, as well as some private, NGO, and mission hospitals that are accredited by the SHA. Expectant mothers are encouraged to register early in their pregnancy to ensure seamless access to services from antenatal care through to postnatal care.
The Linda Mama program under the SHA continues to play a crucial role in providing free and comprehensive maternal healthcare services in Kenya. The increased reimbursement rates for delivery services underscore the government’s commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes. Expectant mothers are encouraged to register for the program early to fully benefit from the services offered.
If you are an expectant mother or know someone who is, take advantage of the Linda Mama program to ensure access to quality maternal healthcare services. Register at your nearest SHA-accredited healthcare facility during your antenatal visits to benefit from free delivery services and comprehensive postnatal care.
