Aasai

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced a six-month extension for staff of the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to continue serving under the new Social Health Authority (SHA). This move, Duale said, is meant to ensure smooth transition and uninterrupted services as SHA finalizes its recruitment process.

The announcement followed a high-level consultative meeting with the Public Service Commission (PSC) Chair Amb. Antony Muchiri and SHA Chair Dr. Abdi Mohamed. Duale emphasized that the redeployment of NHIF staff who requested transfer to other public bodies would begin immediately to enhance institutional stability.

Duale affirmed that the extension ensures legal compliance and protects service delivery during Kenya’s shift to a Universal Health Coverage (UHC) system. He stressed the importance of maintaining operational efficiency while SHA formalizes its staffing and health financing mechanisms.

 The Health CS also highlighted broader reforms, including digitalisation of health facilities across counties, improved funding for critical illnesses, and new training programs for facility in-charges. He reiterated the government’s resolve to strengthen healthcare delivery under the Taifa Care initiative.