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{
    "id": 1403037,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1403037/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 305,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ms. Susan Nakhumicha",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker and Hon. Members. This Question ties up with the question that Hon. Zamzam asked. I wish to respond as follows: Free maternity services are financed by the Exchequer through the NHIF on a fee-for- service arrangement. The Fund has not ceased remitting funds to private hospitals for provision of those services and mothers continue to get services from contracted facilities, which in turn bill the NHIF thereafter. However, there has been a delay in remittance of the Exchequer from the National Treasury. The Ministry has engaged the National Treasury for release of Ksh4.098 billion that is owed under the Linda Mama Scheme. The Ministry has this week received a confirmation from the National Treasury of the release of a total of Ksh5.5 billion for the NHIF and out of that, Ksh2.5 billion is for the Linda Mama Scheme. If we receive the Ksh5.5 billion within this week, payment of Linda Mama claims will start from next week. The second part asks us to explain the measures taken to ensure the continued operation and access to free maternity services under the Linda Mama Initiative, particularly in light of the SHIF that is yet to be fully implemented. The Government enacted the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023 to provide a framework for improved health outcomes and financial protection in line with the right to health and universal health coverage. The Act establishes the Social Health Authority (SHA) that will manage the Primary Healthcare Fund, the SHIF and the Emergency Chronic and Critical Illness Fund. Maternity services have been provided as part of the scope of the benefits package to be accessed under the SHA. To access the benefits package under the SHA, all Kenyans are expected to register with the SHA in line with the Social Health Insurance (General Regulations), 2024. Benefits under the SHA will start to be accessed from 1st July 2024. However, the NHIF continues to operate. Therefore, there is no gap and we are ensuring that there is a seamless transition. The Government also recognises that we have low-income households which may not be able to raise the minimum amount of Ksh300 for the SHA. The Government will, in this regard, pay premiums for those households, which may include pregnant women, in order to enable them to access maternity services. This is in line with Section 27(2)(c) of the Act which provides that needy households will receive financial assistance as determined by the Government at a rate that is apportioned by Parliament and county assemblies for that purpose as prescribed under this Act. Part 3 of the Question asks us to provide details on how the SHIF will facilitate comprehensive access to reproductive healthcare for women. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor"
}