As schools prepare to reopen in four days, parents across Kenya are facing an urgent directive from the government: register their children under the newly established Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) before Monday, August 26.
This directive, issued by Principal Secretary for Basic Education Belio Kipsang, mandates that all school-going children must be registered as dependents of their parents under SHIF before the start of the new school term.
“All school-going children are therefore required to register as dependents of their parents before school opening dates for the third term of 2024,” Kipsang wrote.
The government provided only a 10-day window for parents to complete this registration process, creating a sense of urgency among parents nationwide. This information was confirmed through an internal memo leaked and verified by chipuko.com. The move is part of the government’s broader efforts to ensure that all children have access to health insurance coverage as part of the SHIF initiative.
As the deadline approaches, parents are expected to act swiftly to comply with this new requirement to avoid any disruptions to their children’s schooling. The directive underscores the government’s commitment to expanding health insurance coverage, although it has also raised concerns among parents about the short time frame provided for registration.
The memo, dated August 16, 2024, instructs regional and county education directors to ensure that parents comply with the new directive requiring the registration of all school-going children under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
In the memo, which is referenced as MOE/HQS/3/13/3 and marked as urgent, Principal Secretary for Basic Education Belio Kipsang emphasizes the importance of this directive, stating that all children must be registered as dependents of their parents before the third term of 2024 begins.
The directive is part of the government’s broader effort to implement the SHIF, which is designed to provide free healthcare to all Kenyans from birth to age 18. The memo directs that this information be communicated promptly to all schools and parents to ensure compliance. The urgency of the directive reflects the government’s commitment to expanding healthcare access for children, aligning with the goals of the SHIF to ensure that every child in Kenya has access to necessary medical services.
The short window for registration has prompted concerns among parents, but it also highlights the government’s determination to move forward with this significant healthcare initiative.
The new directive for parents to register their children under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) before the upcoming school term is part of the government’s broader initiative to provide universal healthcare to all Kenyans.
Announced by President William Ruto, SHIF extends medical insurance coverage, previously limited to secondary students under the EduAfya scheme, to all school-going children up to age 18.
This move aligns with the Social Health Insurance Act No. 16 of 2023, which supports the country’s Universal Health Coverage goals. The directive emphasizes the urgency for parents to comply with this requirement before schools reopen, ensuring that all children have access to healthcare services. The Ministry of Health has been working on incorporating EduAfya into SHIF, with registration having started on July 1, 2024.
Parents and guardians are now tasked with completing the registration process within a short timeframe to avoid any disruptions as the new term begins.
Yes, the expansion of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) means that the coverage previously offered under the EduAfya scheme to secondary school students will now be extended to all school-going children up to age 18. This is a significant broadening of the fund’s reach, aiming to ensure that all children in Kenya have access to healthcare.
Parents can register their children for SHIF through various convenient channels:
–Official SHIF Website: Where the registration can be completed online.
– SMS Registration: By dialing “147#” on their mobile phones, parents can register their children.
– Afyangu Portal: Another platform where the registration can be done.
The registration manual, available on these platforms, provides detailed instructions to guide parents through the process. This multi-channel approach is designed to make the registration process as accessible and straightforward as possible, ensuring that every child is covered before the new school term begins.
