107,000 Health Workers to Receive FREE Comprehensive Medical Cover Starting July 1

The government has announced a major boost for Community Health Promoters (CHPs), revealing that 107,000 frontline health workers across the country will begin receiving comprehensive medical cover starting July 1, 2026.

Under the new arrangement, the CHPs will be enrolled into the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF), marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing health reforms.

The move is part of the broader healthcare transformation agenda spearheaded by President William Ruto, which seeks to strengthen primary healthcare and ensure universal access to quality medical services.

Community Health Promoters form the backbone of Kenya’s grassroots healthcare system, offering preventive, promotive and basic curative services at the household level.

For years, many CHPs have operated without comprehensive medical insurance, despite working in high risk environments and serving vulnerable populations.

The new medical cover will now guarantee them access to inpatient and outpatient services under SHIF, as well as specialized treatment through ECCIF for emergency cases and chronic or critical illnesses.

Health officials said the decision recognizes the crucial role played by CHPs in bridging the gap between communities and formal health facilities.

By equipping them with medical protection, the government aims to boost morale, improve service delivery, and enhance retention within the program.

Under SHIF, beneficiaries will access a wide range of healthcare services in accredited facilities nationwide.

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The ECCIF component, on the other hand, will cater for high cost treatments including surgeries, cancer care, dialysis and management of chronic conditions that would otherwise be financially crippling.

The Ministry of Health noted that the inclusion of CHPs into the two funds demonstrates the state’s commitment to equity in healthcare reforms.

Officials emphasized that frontline workers should not be left exposed while serving citizens at the grassroots.

The announcement has been welcomed by health sector stakeholders, who described it as a long-overdue intervention.

Many have argued that protecting CHPs is key to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), as they are instrumental in disease surveillance, maternal and child health services, immunization campaigns and health education.

Kenya currently has over 100,000 trained CHPs deployed across all 47 counties.

They work closely with community health units to track household health data, follow up on patients, and support government programs such as vaccination drives and management of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Implementation of the medical cover is expected to begin officially on July 1, 2026, with registration and onboarding processes set to be finalized in the coming months.

Authorities have assured CHPs that the coverage will be fully funded under the new health financing framework.

As the country continues to reform its healthcare system, the inclusion of Community Health Promoters in SHIF and ECCIF signals a shift toward safeguarding those who safeguard the nation’s health.