As Kenya continues its mass registration for the Social Health Authority (SHA) health insurance scheme, the government has streamlined the process for parents to add their children and spouses to the program.
Parents wishing to include their biological children in the scheme can now do so by logging into the SHA portal and entering their child’s birth certificate number.
For children under six months, parents are required to upload the birth certificate or birth notification along with a passport-sized photo.
To ensure smooth registration, the government has emphasized that parents must notify the Health Authority 14 days in advance before proceeding with the addition of their newborn to the scheme.
Additionally, those looking to add a spouse to the health scheme must first ensure their spouse is registered in the SHA system via the Afya Yangu portal.
Once registered, the process involves submitting the spouse’s national identity number and first name, and determining whether a marriage certificate or affidavit is necessary.
After submitting these details, a One-Time Password (OTP) will be sent to the spouse’s registered phone number.
The spouse must then input the OTP to confirm their status as either a contributor or a dependent.
Once the verification is complete, users can submit the information to finalize the process.
This update follows a statement from Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa, who assured Kenyans that the government is committed to resolving the challenges arising from the new health insurance scheme.
Speaking on Citizen TV on December 25, CS Barasa described the current issues as transitional and emphasized that the system’s functionality would be improved over time.
“The program is still in its early stages, and these are just transitional challenges,” CS Barasa explained.
“We are focused on improving the system and ensuring its efficiency through regular engagement and capacity building at the county and regional levels.”
The government’s focus on refining the SHA system aims to ensure a seamless experience for beneficiaries as the country moves forward with the initiative.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@NairobiNews.co.ke
