The government has officially launched a nationwide registration drive for inmates under the National Social Health Authority (SHA), aiming to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by ensuring no one is left behind.
The initiative, which will be carried out in all prisons and probation centres across the country, was inaugurated at Lang’ata Women Prison in Nairobi. In addition to health registration, the drive also includes National Identification enrolment.
The State Department of Correctional Services will cover premium payments for all inmates. So far, 8,000 prisoners have already been registered, with plans to scale up the exercise to reach all correctional facilities.
Present at the launch were Principal Secretaries Dr. Ouma Oluga (Medical Services), Belio Kipsang (Immigration and Citizen Services), Dr. Salome Beacco (Correctional Services), and Dr. Aurelia Chepkirui Rono (Parliamentary Affairs), alongside Commissioner General of Prisons Patrick Mwiti Aranduh and Acting SHA CEO Robert Ingasira.
Dr. Beacco emphasized the importance of inclusive healthcare, urging all Kenyans to embrace the programme. “Sometimes we resist change because we do not understand it,” she remarked.
Dr. Oluga reiterated the government’s commitment to UHC, highlighting the inclusion of vulnerable populations such as inmates. PS Kipsang affirmed that the SHA rollout in prisons demonstrates the government’s dedication to inclusive development.
Written By Rodney Mbua.
