The National Hospital Insurance Fund under Resource Allocation Discrepancies and Economic Restructuring, 1973–1986

Joyce Chepkwony, Professor Reuben M. Matheka, Doctor Dorothy Nyakwaka

adjustments, economic performance, financing models, health, inequalities, insurance, NHIF, reforms, resources, restructuring, SAPs.

The social health insurance established in Kenya in 1966 as the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), underwent various reforms to enhance its service delivery in theperiod 1973 to 1986. This paper traces the impacts of resource allocation inequalitiesdue to the declining global economic performance experienced in the 1970s. The resource scarcities attributed to the subsequent economic restructuring hindered  access to equitable and quality healthcare through the NHIF in accredited facilities. The government as a result, formulated policies to guide financing modelsfor healthcare for the employed and unemployed. These developments were realised in the midst of adoption of adjustments and economic restructuring for social policy on healthcare financing aimed at enhancing efficiency. Thus by 1986 service delivery by NHIF was guided by policy decisions implemented by the government in adherence to the global expectations.

https://doi.org/10.31871/WJRR.15.6.3