The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) has denied all rumors and allegations insinuating that it has gotten rid of free maternal health care to all expectant women. NHIF said the project which was dubbed Linda mama was as operational as before.
The project was brought to light by former president Uhuru Kenyatta during his tenure as the 4th president of Kenya improve access and quality of maternal, newborn and child health care services towards attainment of Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Agenda.
“Attention is drawn to recent false social media messages purporting the discontinuity of the government-funded Linda Mama program. NHIF wishes to assure the public that the cover is still active as mothers continue to benefit massively,” the statement reads in part.
“The program, funded by the Government of Kenya, targets expectant women and alms at reducing maternal and child deaths. In addition, the program ensures mothers do not struggle with paying medical bills during pregnancy and childbirth and encourages them to seek the services of a skilled birth attendant.”
According to NHIF, once expectant mothers register for the programme by dialing *155# on their phones or by downloading the ‘MY NHIF’ app, their membership is activated at any clinic, once their pregnancies are confirmed and this will see them bestowed with a one-year cover that caters for ‘four antenatal visits, normal or Caesarean section delivery, three postnatal care visits and vaccines for the child’.
NHIF likewise warned Kenyans against believing anything that they read on social media.
“The Fund, therefore, urges the public to Ignore the false messages shared online,” said the healthcare provider.
NHIF earlier announced a change in payment procedures and directed all mobile transactions through the official government pay bill number 222222, effective immediately.
In a statement on Sunday, December 9, NHIF CEO Elijah Wachira noted that the change was in line with the Kenya Gazette that ordered all state agencies to close their playbills and direct all payments to 222222.
“The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) notifies all Members and Employers that effective immediately, all NHIF payments through mobile money platforms shall only be made through the Government Pay bill Number 222222. This is in line with the Kenya Gazette No. 16008 of 2022 and the Presidential Directive designating the use of Pay bill Number 222222 as the Government’s single payment platform,” Wachira said.
Wachira provided instructions for NHIF Members and Employers on how to make payments using the new government pay bill number.
Enter Paybill Number 222222 and use the following as Account Numbers:
- Member contribution (NHIFM-ID NUMBER e.g. NHIFM-11223344)
- Member Penalty (NHIFP-ID NUMBER e.g. NHIFP-11223344)
- Employer Contribution (NHIFE-ESIIp NUMBER)
- Employer Penalty (NHIFEP-EMPLOYER CODE).”
Wachira also provided multiple avenues in which individuals can access NHIF services.