Level two and three public health facilities will soon start offering maternity services, with the costs covered under the Primary Health Care Fund (PHCF) through the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The decision was made during the 12th Ordinary Session of the National and County Government Coordinating Summit, where the national and county governments agreed to work together on the rollout.
“The Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors shall by the second week of January develop a framework for provision of maternity services at level two and three health facilities,” the joint statement read.
It added: “In the immediate and subsequently, the associated charges shall be charged on the Primary Health Care Fund (PHCF) under the SHA legal infrastructure.”
In the same meeting, the Ministry of Health was directed to review sections of the Persons with Disability Act, 2025, that deal with exemptions from paying for medical services.
“The Ministry of Health shall review the Persons with Disability Act, 2025 on the sections related to exemptions of payment of medical services by Persons with Disability with a view to harmonization with the existing Social Health Insurance Act, 2023,” the statement read.
The summit also agreed that existing vendor installation contracts under the National Equipment Support Programme (NESP) involving zero installation at public hospitals will be cancelled.
“The existing vendors installation contracts under the National Equipment Support Programme (NESP) with zero installation at public health facilities shall be cancelled by the Ministry of Health to allow for issuance of new contracts to new vendors,” the statement said.
On funding of county staff, the National Treasury was directed to release personnel-related funds by the third day of every month.
“The National Treasury shall disburse by the third day of every month all the related personnel emolument costs for all the county governments to the respective County Revenue Fund Account,” the leaders said.
The Controller of Budget was also asked to fast-track approvals, while counties were instructed to pay statutory deductions by the ninth day of each month.
The meeting further addressed payments to Community Health Promoters (CHPs).
“All stipends for the Community Health Promoters (CHPs) shall be promptly paid,” the statement said, adding that CHPs will be covered under the SHA insurance scheme. “The cover shall be co-financed by the two levels of government on a 50-50 basis, amounting to KSh 330 per CHP for each level of government.”
Finally, the Ministry of Health, the Public Service Commission, the Council of Governors and the National Treasury were tasked with developing a framework to move CHPs to permanent and pensionable terms.
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