At least 8,000 inmates have been registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme as part of government efforts to provide universal health coverage.

The Ministry of Health aims to enrol all 57,900 inmates across the country into the scheme, ensuring access to quality healthcare in line with the Kenya Kwanza administration’s UHC agenda.

Dr Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Medical Services, said the registration of inmates will ensure timely access to medical services, especially when they fall ill.

“Access to affordable and quality healthcare is a core pillar of the bottom-up economic transformation agenda,” said Dr Oluga.

The PS spoke during the official launch of SHA registration at Lang’ata Women’s Prison.

He emphasised the importance of enrolment, stating, “If you are not registered, you deny yourself the opportunity to access healthcare services in any facility across the country.”

The SHA replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in October last year.

So far, at least 22 million Kenyans have registered with the new scheme, among them 3.4 million from the formal sector, 13 million from the informal sector, and 5.7 million dependants.

Acting SHA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robert Ingasira noted that the Authority is working closely with relevant government departments and agencies to identify and support vulnerable groups.

These special groups include the indigent, teenage mothers, people in lawful custody, children in care homes, street families, and refugees.

“We are registering special groups who shall benefit from both national and county government budgets, as well as sponsorships,” the SHA boss told The Standard in an interview.

Inmates fall under special category of registration.

The launch event was attended by top government officials, including Dr Salome Muhia, Principal Secretary for Correctional Services; Belio Kipsang, Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services and Aurelia Rono, Principal Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs.