In a bold move to promote healthcare equity behind bars, the Ministry of Health has pledged to ensure that all inmates across the country are registered under the newly launched Social Health Authority (SHA), providing them with seamless access to essential medical services.
Speaking during the official launch of the SHA and ID registration drive at Lang’ata Women Prison, Dr. Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Medical Services, affirmed the government’s commitment to leaving no one behind in the pursuit of universal health coverage.
“This initiative will ensure that even inmates a group often overlooked can access timely, affordable, and quality healthcare when they need it,” said Dr. Oluga. “Registration is not just a formality; it’s a gateway to life-saving services in any facility across the country.”
He emphasized that integrating inmates into the SHA system aligns with the bottom-up economic transformation model by addressing inequalities in healthcare access.
The event brought together high-level government officials, including Dr. Salome Muhia, PS for Correctional Services; Dr. Belio Kipsang, PS for Immigration and Citizen Services; and Ms. Aurelia Rono, PS for Parliamentary Affairs.
Their presence underscored the multi-agency commitment to ensuring that all Kenyans — regardless of their circumstances benefit from the new health financing framework.
The SHA is designed to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) with a more inclusive, sustainable model that caters to all Kenyans, including vulnerable and marginalized populations.
