Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Josephine Oluga, on Friday led a major campaign in Migori County to register residents under the new Social Health Authority (SHA) health insurance scheme. The initiative, part of Kenya’s broader Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, aims to ensure affordable and accessible healthcare for all, especially targeting informal sector workers.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Oluga emphasized the importance of digitizing health facilities as a transformative step toward improving service delivery. “Digitization will enhance accountability, streamline claims processing, and provide real-time patient data to support better health outcomes,” she said.
To facilitate this digital transformation, the Ministry of Health donated 750 digital devices to Migori County, comprising 112 computers and 638 tablets. These devices will be distributed across health facilities in the region to strengthen operations, improve data management, and simplify the registration of beneficiaries under SHA.
Dr. Oluga officially launched the SHA mass registration campaign during the same event, urging Migori residents to enroll. She highlighted SHA’s role in making healthcare equitable, especially for vulnerable populations. “SHA is designed to remove financial barriers to healthcare, ensuring every Kenyan can access quality services without suffering economic hardship,” she noted.
The Principal Secretary also commended the Migori County Government for its commitment and collaboration in advancing UHC. She lauded the county’s efforts in working closely with the national government to implement health reforms that directly benefit citizens.
The SHA initiative replaces the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) with a more inclusive model focused on efficiency, equity, and sustainability. By leveraging technology, the government aims to improve transparency and accountability in healthcare financing.
As the registration drive gains momentum, Migori County stands as a key example of how coordinated efforts between national and county governments can bring transformative change to the health sector. The event not only marked the beginning of a new era in healthcare access for Migori residents but also underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring no Kenyan is left behind in the journey toward Universal Health Coverage.
