Davji Atellah, the secretary general of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), expressed doubt and listed possible consequences regarding the recently passed Social Health Insurance Bill 2023.

Atellah says the Union is disappointed that the Parliamentary Health Committee disregarded their proposals. The new law may cause over 3 million Kenyans—including civil servants and their dependents—to immediately lose their comprehensive medical coverage. Atellah made this statement to media outlets on Thursday, October 9.

"This comprehensive medical cover must be remembered that it is not a favor from Government but rather something that all civil servants collectively decided in December 2011 to relinquish their monthly Medical Allowance of Ksh.3, 500 for a Comprehensive medical scheme to be administered by the NHIF," Atellah said. 


He made note of the possibility that the new law would triple the required statutory deductions from Ksh. 1,700 to Ksh. 5,000, meaning that each member would have to contribute Ksh. 8,500 monthly or Ksh. 102,000 annually without any guarantee of access to care.

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The medical association also voiced concerns about the bill's effects on Kenya's informal economy, where 80% of the country's workforce is employed, highlighting the possible hardship brought on by the one-time annual upfront contributions instead of the monthly contributions made by those in formal employment.

"Our question is this, is it a sin to be jobless in this country? And when the government promises to give them 'premium financial products' (interpret as loans) to help them pay, who will stand to benefit commercially?" he added.

In addition, the union demanded that the Commission of Revenue Allocation be used to distribute funds to counties for the Primary Health Care Fund instead of the Social Health Authority.


They drew comparisons with problems with fund distribution in the education sector and claimed that this strategy would protect devolution and avoid service delivery delays.

The KMPDU also expressed dissatisfaction with the Social Health Authority's regulations being developed without establishing a board and without input from necessary parties like the Council of Governors.

This comes after the Primary Health Care Bill, Facility Improvement Financing Bill, Digital Health Bill, and Social Health Insurance Bill were signed into law by President William Ruto in October.