Kenyan President William Ruto has unveiled plans to provide free medical coverage for all citizens from birth to 18 years of age.
This initiative, set to commence in three months as part of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) program, marks a substantial expansion of the country’s healthcare system.
During a tour of development projects in Murang’a County on Friday, President Ruto outlined the key features of this transformative policy.
The reform extends beyond the previous EduAfya program, which only covered secondary school students, to now encompass primary school learners as well. Highlighting the inclusive nature of the new policy, President Ruto declared,
“We are changing the old formula, which provided medical insurance for secondary school students only. Now, the government will provide medical insurance to all school-going children up to the age of 18.”
The announcement also detailed enhancements to maternal healthcare services. The existing Linda Mama programme will see a significant upgrade, increasing the number of covered pre-natal and post-natal visits from six to ten, demonstrating a commitment to improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
This comprehensive healthcare reform represents a pivotal step towards universal health coverage in Kenya, potentially alleviating the financial burden on families and improving access to medical services for millions of young Kenyans.
