The Ministry of Health has rolled out a new Primary Health Care (PHC) financing model
Under this model, payments to health facilities will be based on the actual number of patients served, not insurance coverage.
In a statement on Wednesday, March 5, the ministry described the shift as a major step toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC
“This new approach will not only ensure that healthcare funds reach the right places but will also strengthen service delivery by prioritising patient needs over insurance status,” the ministry stated.
According to the government, the new approach ensures that all patients receive care, with facilities reimbursed based on verified service data.
It also ensures timely reimbursements, the government has reduced the claims processing time from 90 days to 30 days. Furthermore, all PHC payments will be sent directly to PHC-funded accounts to guarantee dedicated financing for essential healthcare services.
The ministry has now urged counties to strengthen Facility Improvement Fund (FIF) committees to enhance financial management and service delivery.
Further, the ministry has revealed that all primary healthcare services will be fully tax-funded, reinforcing the principle that healthcare is a fundamental right and not a privilege.
Fully tax-funded means that primary healthcare services under this model are entirely financed by taxes, ensuring greater accessibility, especially for those who previously faced financial barriers.
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