Gov’t Unveils Health Fund for Public Officers Post-SHA Rollout
The Department of Public Service has introduced a proposal to create a Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund, aimed at boosting civil servants’ health benefits provided by the Social Health Authority (SHA).
In a statement released on Wednesday, November 6, Treasury CS John Mbadi announced that the fund intends to replace the previous Comprehensive Medical Insurance Scheme for Civil Servants and Disciplined Services, initially launched in January 2012 and later phased out with SHA’s introduction.
“The Social Health Authority offers all Kenyans access to a wide array of health services. The proposed fund would ensure civil servants first utilize SHA’s comprehensive health services and then access additional benefits under the Public Officers Medical Scheme once SHA limits are reached,” read part of the statement.
Mbadi noted that any funds collected from civil servants’ medical benefits will be channeled into the scheme for sustained support.
Meanwhile, civil servants and other public workers included in the Public Officers Medical Scheme will continue their contributions to SHA through payroll deductions.
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The State Department for Public Service suggests establishing the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund to manage funds derived from recovered medical benefits, as these are part of public officers’ agreed compensation.
“The proposed fund will support a medical scheme for public officers that complements the existing social health insurance package offered by the Social Health Insurance Act. As such, members or their dependents will need to utilize their SHA benefits first before the additional Public Officers Medical Scheme benefits are applied,” the statement further explained.
Treasury CS Mbadi confirmed that the draft of the Public Finance Management (Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund) Regulations, 2024, is ready, and public feedback on the draft has been invited.
“Comments, suggestions, or memos from the public may be sent to the Principal Secretary, National Treasury, P.O. Box 30007-00100, Nairobi; hand-delivered to the Principal Secretary’s Office at the National Treasury Building in Nairobi; or emailed to ps@treasury.go.ke, cc jona.wala@treasury.go.ke, by November 18, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.,” Mbadi elaborated.
Gov’t Unveils Health Fund for Public Officers Post-SHA Rollout
