MOMBASA: Low-income earners in Kenya are poised to benefit significantly from the newly structured Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which will see contributions determined by individual earnings to ensure equitable premiums. This was announced during the Community Health Promotion Fund (CHPF) Annual Stakeholders Consultative Meeting held at a Mombasa hotel. According to Kenya News Agency, Deputy Director General for Health, Sultani Matendechero, outlined that each household would contribute 2.7 percent of their gross income under the new model. Despite transitional challenges, Dr. Matendechero emphasized the model's potential to benefit all Kenyans and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). He assured stakeholders that the model would optimize healthcare financing in the long term. The CHPF forum, themed "Achieving milestones towards UHC: innovations, opportunities, and challenges," sought to foster collaborations and partnerships in community-based primary healthcare promotion. Dr. Matendechero highl ighted the effectiveness of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in gathering crucial health data, leading to improved management of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Over 126,000 diabetes patients and more than 300,000 high blood pressure patients have accessed early treatment through CHPF initiatives. Dr. Matendechero noted the significant role of CHPs in promoting health investment and disease prevention, thereby reducing treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care costs. CHPF efforts have also improved maternal healthcare by linking pregnant mothers to antenatal care clinics, addressing high maternal mortality rates in the public health system. Reuben Waswa, a CHPF trustee and Director of North Coast Training College, affirmed the organization's commitment to grassroots healthcare improvement. Collaborations with the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) aim to provide financial support to underprivileged health sector students. Additionally, CHPF has established seven Health Infor mation Points (HIPS) in Kilifi County to ease healthcare access, with five more planned for next year.