Nationwide SHIF Registration Mandated for Students Before Academic Term Begins

In a comprehensive push to integrate health coverage with the educational system, the Education Ministry has issued a directive mandating all school-going children in Kenya to register for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) as dependents under their parents’ coverage. This requirement must be met before the schools reopen for the third term of 2024.

Education PS Dr. Belio Kipsang, in his detailed communication to education heads across regions and counties, stated, “All school-going children are therefore required to register as dependents of their parents before school opening dates for the 3rd term 2024.” This initiative aims to ensure that all students have access to health services through the national health coverage plan.

For registration, learners and their guardians can access the SHIF platform via several methods. The official websites for registration are listed as afyangu.go.ke and sha.go.ke. Alternatively, a quick USSD code, *147#, has also been provided for ease of access directly from mobile phones.

Dr. Kipsang further elaborated on the registration process: “The registration can be done through sha.go.ke, *147#, or afyangu.go.ke as per the attached registration manual. A soft copy is also available on www.sha.go.ke. For any challenges during registration, please contact the Social Health Authority call center on 0800720601 or at info@sha.go.ke,” ensuring that support is available for those who may encounter difficulties.

This directive underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health of its younger population while promoting seamless access to necessary medical services through educational institutions. Schools and parents are encouraged to adhere to these instructions promptly to facilitate a smooth transition into the new term without any disruptions in health coverage for students.