President Ruto Introduces Flexible Lipa Polepole Payment Scheme for SHA
President William Ruto launches a flexible payment plan, Lipa Polepole, for Social Health Authority insurance. The scheme aims to ease the burden of premium payments on Kenyans in informal sectors. Meanwhile, the World Bank raises concerns about funding effectiveness for the Social Health Insurance Fund.
President William Ruto has announced a new payment option for the Social Health Authority (SHA) insurance contributions, targeting Kenyans in the informal sectors. The initiative, dubbed the Lipa Polepole scheme, allows citizens to pay their yearly premiums in installments, offering a more flexible payment plan for their health insurance needs. This was revealed during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations held in Homa Bay.
Ruto emphasized the necessity of this program, stating, “To address persistent challenges such as irregular premium payments, especially among the informal sector, the government of Kenya is introducing an inclusive payment solution known as lipa SHA polepole.” He further explained that families will have the option to remit payments tailored to their capacity, be it monthly, weekly, or even daily.
The new payment plan benefits from a collaboration among various government ministries, including Health and Cooperatives, as well as private financial institutions and mobile network providers, facilitated through the Hustler Fund. Additionally, Ruto reported that 50,000 Kenyans are currently registered with SHA, with coverage extended to treatment for 4.5 million citizens.
Last week, the World Bank advised the Kenyan government to reassess its approach to the Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which established the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). In its report released on May 27, the World Bank highlighted concerns from the public on the financial pressures of the SHIF on citizens within the informal economy.
The institution warned that the implementation of SHIF under such conditions could face serious funding limitations, estimating that the scheme would generate only Ksh67 billion annually—far less than the expected Ksh157 billion target. Furthermore, the report urged the government to consider exempting low-wage formal sector workers from SHIF contributions to further support healthcare accessibility.
In summary, President Ruto’s introduction of the Lipa Polepole scheme aims to alleviate the financial burden on Kenyans in the informal sector regarding health insurance payments. This development, alongside the World Bank’s call for a review of the broader financing approach to Universal Health Coverage, underscores ongoing challenges in ensuring equitable access to healthcare services in Kenya. The hope is that these measures will create a more sustainable and inclusive health insurance system for all citizens.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
