Health Cabinet Secretary nominee Deborah Barasa has promised that should she be approved by the National Assembly Commitee on Appointments, one of her first reforms will be the restoration of the Linda Mama program.
She appeared before the vetting panel on Thursday, August 1, where she stated that she has been a beneficiary of the program and would hence liaise with stakeholders to ensure it would be incorporated into the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) once it is rolled out.
The initiative was introduced under the leadership of former first lady Margaret Kenyatta and it was aimed at providing free maternity services to Kenyan women. The package provides a 12-month coverage for mothers during maternity including ante-natal clinic visits, deliveries, post-natal clinics and care for the new-borns.
The program was part of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) that is set to be replaced by the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
SHIF did not indicate the fate of the Linda Mama program, leaving Kenyans speculating about the scrap of the crucial service from public health facilities.
Dr Barasa noted that if approved she would formulate a transition plan to ensure that the program is accounted for during the drafting of the national budget.
“I am a beneficiary of Linda Mama and my daughter is a beneficiary of Linda Mama. I will ensure it is incorporated if SHIF is rolled out,” she stated .
“During the transition period, at times such activities fall through the cracks, funds have been allocated so we need to have a transition plan to ensure the Linda Mama is always there; this is an area we will look to and ensure all mothers and children are covered,” she noted.
Another reform she has pledged to see through is the sensitization of the public on the SHIF program, stating that many Kenyans are still resistant in transitioning from NHIF. The latest data from the Ministry of Health has shown only 464,263 Kenyans have registered for SHIF out of a target of 15 million.
“Kenyans have not seen its importance, we need to have robust communication with the community. It is important they own it and hence the uptake will be great,” Barasa stated.
Dr Barasa was in the first batch of nominees appointed by President William Ruto to be face the parliamentary vetting committee. Others include Kithure Kindiki ( Interior Security), Alice Wahome( Lands) ans Julius Migos Ogamba (Education).
