ITEN: A total of 16,000 households have signed up for the Social Health Authority (SHA) program in Elgeyo Marakwet County, as county officials push for full enrollment by the end of the year. Registration desks have been strategically placed in all health facilities across the county to facilitate the process.
According to Kenya News Agency, Michael Kibiwott, the County Executive Committee (CEC) member for health, stated that the initiative aims to ensure every resident is registered with SHA. To achieve this, the county has implemented measures that involve ward administrators, chiefs, their assistants, and village elders to mobilize residents for registration. Kibiwott emphasized that registration is mandatory for accessing health services.
In a press briefing held in Iten, Kibiwott revealed that 1,200 community health promoters have been trained and equipped with registration gadgets that operate without requiring internet connectivity. This ensures that the registration process is accessible and efficie
nt. All health facilities in the county, along with their staff, have also been registered and trained on how to claim refunds from SHA.
Despite the progress, Kibiwott acknowledged a challenge with residents needing to update their dependents’ information. He assured that consultations with the Ministry of Health are underway to address this issue. The CEC urged residents to participate in the mass registration exercise to secure access to health services, noting that treatment will be free in level one to three health facilities. However, referrals will incur costs based on means testing, and residents are encouraged to complete the necessary forms.
The initiative also seeks to alleviate congestion in higher-level hospitals, focusing these facilities on more serious health conditions. The county’s efforts reflect a broader goal of improving healthcare accessibility and efficiency for its residents.