When Kenya Kwanza regime began the implementation of Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), several health schemes including Linda Mama risked extinction.
Initially, it was clear that Linda Mama was not captured in the SHIF, a move that angered many Kenyans.
Under SHIF Umbrella the government sought to establish three healthcare schemes: Primary Healthcare Fund, Social Health Insurance Fund and Emergency, Chronic and Critical Fund.
It was clear that Linda Mama couldn’t make to the new list prompting disquiet in the country, especially considering the role Linda Mama played in maternal healthcare.
Harriet Afandi, a health and gender rights advocate said that scrapping Linda Mama would revert women to the dangerous traditional midwifery.
She told JEDCA MEDIA on 5th June that without Linda Mama, maternal healthcare would be unaffordable to a majority of Kenyans.
“We have been running away from traditional midwifery and fighting for quality and affordable maternal healthcare for our women. Unfortunately the hope of poor expectant women are being shattered by the new policy recommendations which are trying to do away with Linda Mama,” Afandi said.
In March, Embu Governor Cecil Mbarire added to the public outcry urging President William Ruto to bring back Linda Mama program.
It’s against this backdrop that Ruto’s regime realized that Linda Mama was the backbone of maternal healthcare. It forced the regime to re-introduce Linda Mama program under SHIF.
Speaking to journalists on 6th August, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni confirmed that they are repackaging the scheme to improve maternal health.
“Linda Mama was a program that was taking care of pregnant mothers during delivery. We are repackaging it and enhance the benefits to ensure Linda Mama is still there but benefits are more. It’s going to be a program under SHIF,” PS Muthoni said.
During his recent visit to Mt Kenya region, president Ruto reiterated the program has been “expanded” for the benefit expectant mothers.
Afandi said that Linda Mama should include provision of sanitary towels to women to sustain their situation after giving birth.
“No woman should die, or lose an unborn baby due to delayed or denied medical attention,” she said.
She also said that the government “need to clarify how it cater for the budget deficit following the budget cuts from a Ksh4 million allocation in the previous financial year to Ksh2 million for financial year 2024/2025.”
Linda Mama program began in 2013 during the tenure of former President Uhuru Kenyatta. It was entrenched in National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) which is being phased out by Ruto’s regime.
The program has been dubbed as the most successful project in Uhuru’s government.
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