Employees Receive Their Redeployment Letters
As Kenya’s healthcare reforms take shape, the transition from the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA) is rapidly advancing. In a significant milestone, NHIF employees gathered on Friday to receive their redeployment letters, signaling the official end of NHIF and the start of a transformative journey under SHA.
The former NHIF auditorium was abuzz with mixed emotions as employees awaited their redeployment letters. Faces mirrored a blend of apprehension and hope, while hushed conversations and occasional greetings filled the room. Names were called one by one, marking the start of a new chapter for the staff.
“The NHIF officially came to an end. All NHIF staff have been absorbed by the Public Service Commission as stipulated in the Social Health Insurance Act,” said Ibrahim Chulu, a senior official involved in the transition. He clarified that none of the 1,737 employees would lose their jobs during this period.
According to Chulu, the employees have been seconded to SHA for an initial six-month period during which they will undergo suitability assessments and interviews for permanent roles within the new authority. “If staff are not absorbed into SHA after the assessment, they will be redeployed to other public institutions,” Chulu assured.
The redeployment process, spanning from November 22, 2023, to November 21, 2024, is a pivotal phase in aligning the workforce with SHA’s needs. Chulu admitted that initial delays in approving HR instruments and documentation posed challenges but emphasized that the exercise is now progressing systematically.
Thursday’s redeployment exercise focused on Nairobi and its environs, encompassing 12 branches in the capital and additional offices in Kiambu and Kajiado counties. Representatives from the Public Service Commission personally handed over secondment letters to employees, ensuring a transparent and considerate approach. Each staff member received four copies of the letter and was given a week to review and accept the terms.
Chulu acknowledged that SHA may not require the same staffing levels as NHIF, hinting at potential adjustments in the workforce. Despite this, the redeployment process aims to maintain transparency and provide ample time for staff to internalize their new roles.
This transition, mandated by legislative changes dissolving NHIF, is a critical step in operationalizing SHA and reshaping Kenya’s healthcare system. It marks both the end of an era and the beginning of a reimagined health service structure for the nation.
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Employees Receive Their Redeployment Letters
