(Nairobi) – The Social Health Authority (SHA) has launched a new policy aimed at ensuring that all expectant mothers receive essential maternal health services, even if they have not fully paid their contributions. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve access to maternal healthcare and reduce maternal and perinatal deaths, particularly for women facing financial challenges.
In a letter to all contracted Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities, SHA Chairman Robert Ingasira emphasized that the policy is a critical step towards improving healthcare access and equity for women. The directive requires all contracted PHC facilities to provide comprehensive maternal health services to registered beneficiaries, including antenatal care, delivery services, postnatal care, and treatment for complications during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period.
The policy further mandates that these facilities must treat expectant mothers who are registered with the SHA, even if their contributions have not been fully paid. This ensures that financial constraints do not prevent women from accessing vital healthcare services during pregnancy and childbirth.
Mr. Ingasira clarified that all expectant women seeking antenatal care, delivery services, postnatal care, and any complications arising from pregnancy or maternity should not be denied service at any contracted facility, as long as they are registered with the SHA. The policy aims to eliminate any discrimination based on non-payment of contributions.
To support the PHC facilities in implementing this directive, SHA has allocated dedicated funds and established a reimbursement mechanism to ensure the sustainability of the services. This funding will help facilities provide essential services without financial strain.
Under the new policy, antenatal and postnatal care will be reimbursed through outpatient capitation, with a rate of KSh900 per beneficiary per year. Delivery services, including both normal and caesarean deliveries, will also be reimbursed according to gazetted rates, with KSh10,000 and KSh30,000 allocated per delivery, respectively. For complications requiring hospitalization, reimbursement will follow the rates specified in the Kenya Essential Package for Health.
The new policy is expected to significantly improve maternal and perinatal health outcomes by ensuring timely access to skilled care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. The structured reimbursement mechanism is designed to encourage PHC facilities to maintain high standards of care while expanding their capacity to serve more patients.