SHA assures free deliveries under enhanced Linda Mama package

The Social Health Authority (SHA) has affirmed that pregnant women can still access free delivery services under the Linda Mama package. The authority has dismissed claims that the free delivery program was discontinued, after repealing of National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) noting that such misinformation could jeopardize the lives of mothers and newborns seeking hospital deliveries. In an interview with The Standard, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SHA Robert Ingasira clarified that the Linda Mama cover is now integrated into the new scheme. "Linda Mama is still available," emphasized Ingasira. "It has been enhanced under the new framework." Ingasira explained that under SHA, women are required to register just like any other citizen in their preferred hospitals for Antenatal Clinics (ANC), and are guided through the registration process. During registration, a means testing is conducted to determine the cost of services required, to enable SHA to determine how much to remit. The bill is then cleared under the SHA claims system through a classified benefit package. "A woman must undergo a means test so that SHA can determine the payment required for the service she needs. For example, if it is childbirth, we assess how much should be allocated," explained the SHA boss. He added, "The premiums are determined at the registration stage, and from there, we pay. The funds are drawn from the allocated budget based on the outcomes of registration." The Linda Mama package under SHA provides coverage for ANC, postnatal care (PNC), delivery services-including both Caesarean Sections (C-Section), and normal deliveries-newborn care, and treatments such as Anti-D serum. Indigent mothers receive full benefits, funded by the government. Additionally, the enhanced Linda Mama package allows a mother to include her household in the coverage, including her spouse and children. This is an improvement over the defunct NHIF scheme, which only catered to the mother and child at birth. In the SHA benefit tariff, a sum of Sh11,200 was allocated for normal deliveries and Sh32,600 for the C-Section. Under NHIF, the government used to remit Sh2,500 for normal deliveries under Linda Mama, in NHIF whereas C-Section was Sh5,000, an amount that has been increased. Unlike SHA, the NHIF Linda Mama maternity cover was limited to the mother and child, providing only ANC, delivery, and immediate postnatal services. "The government is committed to addressing healthcare needs from pre-delivery to post-delivery and ensuring the baby is well cared for after birth," stated Ingasira. He added, "Linda Mama under SHA is more comprehensive because it supports the entire family, not just hospital deliveries." His sentiments come at a time some politicians have been circulating clips of offsetting bills of mothers reported to have delivered in hospitals across the country, with some viral clips circulating of women having been locked in maternity wards after failing to offset their bills. Ingasira expressed concern over the lack of awareness about delivery services, which has made some women hesitant to seek hospital-based care, believing that SHA will not cover their bills. To ensure women can access quality maternal and child care, SHA is collaborating with healthcare providers, particularly at Level 4, 5, and 6 hospitals, to encourage women in need of delivery services to register for the scheme. Community Health Promoters (CHPs) are also playing a vital role by sensitizing pregnant women at the community level about the benefits of registering for the scheme. This helps them understand the available services and encourages early registration to ensure timely care. "We urge mothers to register as early as possible so that by the time they are due for delivery, the process is seamless-from admission to delivery and discharge. This ensures they can continue with postnatal clinics without interruptions," said Ingasira. Under the repealed NHIF benefits, deliveries were covered through the Linda Mama program, established in 2016, which supported over one million women annually. Currently, Kenya records approximately 6,000 maternal deaths each year, with 21 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births. Since the introduction of free deliveries under NHIF by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2016, the number of women delivering in hospitals has increased, along with a significant rise in CS deliveries, which have more than doubled. According to Ministry of Health data, 948,000 deliveries were registered nationwide, a figure that grew to 1.19 million in 2019. Before the introduction of free hospital deliveries, many women sought assistance from traditional birth attendants, a factor that contributed to high maternal and infant mortality rates. For example, in 2008/09, Kenya's maternal death rate was 488 per 100,000 live births, according to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey. This figure dropped to 342 per 100,000 live births in 2022. In the 2024/25 financial budget, Sh2 billion was allocated for Free Maternity Healthcare, a decrease from the Sh4 billion allocated in the previous budget. Meanwhile, Ingasira reported that SHA registration is progressing well, with at least 18.1 million Kenyans now registered. Of these, 3 million have undergone means testing. At least 8,600 hospitals including public, private and mission have been credited by Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Council (KMPDC).

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