Kwale Residents Applaud Government for SHA, Call for Better Healthcare Services.

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By Caroline Katana.

Residents in  Kwale County, have applauded the national government for introducing the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying the programme is helping communities access healthcare.

The residents said the health cover has made it easier for patients to seek treatment and has given families hope of receiving care without facing heavy medical bills.

Speaking during interviews in Mwarutswa and surrounding areas, residents said they appreciate the government's efforts to expand healthcare access to rural communities.

Mwanakombo Bakari Koja, a resident of Marutu, said SHA was helping residents access medical services.

She said patients are being treated after their SHA details are confirmed.

“We receive healthcare, we are tested and treated. If it is a mother giving birth, she is attended to. If it is a patient, they are treated as usual,” Koja said.

She thanked President William Ruto for bringing the health programme closer to ordinary Kenyans.

Time Abdalla Sarai also welcomed the introduction of SHA.

She said the programme was a good initiative that could help many families access healthcare

“We thank the President for bringing us this SHA programme. It is helping us. We thank him very much for the good work he has done,” Sarai said.

Community health worker Mwanasiti Shee  said the programme was important for rural communities.

She said many residents previously struggled to afford treatment and transport to hospitals.

She welcomed the government's efforts but said more need  to be done to ensure vulnerable families benefit fully.

Said Bakari , also praised the national government for introducing SHA.

He said the programme could be particularly important for older people and pregnant women who need regular access to healthcare.

However, residents said several challenges still need to be addressed.

Sarai said some people are required to make SHA contributions before they can receive treatment.

She said this can be difficult for residents who have no regular income.

Salim Juma Maondo,  said some patients are also told at hospitals that their SHA cover has expired.

He said unemployed people often struggle to raise money for contributions.

“I am unemployed. I survive on whatever I get. When I am told at the hospital that my SHA has expired, I have nothing to pay with,” Maondo said.

He called on the government to consider covering SHA contributions for the poorest households.

Maondo also raised concerns about maternal healthcare.

He said the former Linda Mama programme had helped many women deliver in hospitals without worrying about the cost.

He urged the government to ensure that women continue receiving adequate support under SHA.

He  called for special consideration for people aged 70 and above and pregnant women who may struggle to make contributions.

He said some expectant mothers risk giving birth at home when they cannot afford the costs associated with accessing healthcare.

Mwanasiti Shee identified access to birth certificates as another challenge facing rural families.

She said some parents cannot afford the cost of obtaining the documents or travelling to registration centres.

“Birth certificates are a major challenge for us because they cost money, and some parents do not have that money,” she said.

She urged the national government to take birth registration services closer to rural communities.

Suleiman Mohamed Ali, another Mwarutswa resident, said residents also need better services at public hospitals.

He said some people contribute to SHA but still find that medicines are unavailable when they visit public health facilities.

According to Ali, some patients are given prescriptions and sent to private chemists to buy medicines.

He called for closer monitoring of public hospitals to ensure that residents receive the services covered by SHA.

Despite the concerns, the residents said their views should not be taken as a rejection of SHA

They said they appreciate the government's decision to introduce the programme and want it strengthened so that more Kenyans can benefit.

They called for easier access to SHA, support for vulnerable households and better services at public health facilities.

For residents in rural parts of Lungalunga, SHA is seen as an important step towards making healthcare more accessible.

They now want the national government to address the gaps so that financial difficulties do not prevent poor families from getting the healthcare they need.