Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich has shared practical tips to help residents get quicker service and avoid common frustrations when using the Social Health Authority (SHA) in hospitals.
In a post on his Facebook page, Rotich said most delays happen because people only think about SHA when they are already sick.
He urged residents to prepare early so they can “go straight to be served instead of spending a lot of time regularising your SHA status.”
How to improve SHA experience
Here are the 9 tips he shared to improve your SHA experience:
- Register and pay up early, even when you’re healthy
Rotich said being active on SHA before you fall sick saves you hours at the hospital. Many patients lose time trying to update their status at the facility.
- Don’t take small ailments to referral hospitals
For outpatient cases, avoid Level 5 county referral hospitals and Level 6 national referral hospitals.
“Usipeleke Homa county Referral ama MTRH,” Rotich said. “The intention is to utilise the specialised health workers to serve those who are in serious need.”
- Use Level 4 sub-county hospitals for most cases
He described Level 4 facilities as “the most flexible facility to be served from” for general treatment.
- Take advantage of free primary care
All primary health care services are free at Level 2 dispensaries, Level 3 health centres, and Level 4 hospitals.
- Check your status before you go
You can confirm if you’re active by visiting https://eligibility.sha.go.ke/ or dialing *147#.
- Choose public hospitals when possible
“For specialised services please visit Level 5 and level 6,” Rotich said. “If you can be served at a public hospital the better because most of the times SHA will fully cover.”
- Know where to go for specialized care
Level 5 and Level 6 hospitals are reserved for specialized services and referrals, not routine outpatient visits.
- You can access Level 2 and 3 without paying
“You dont need to be a paid up member to be served at level 2 and level 3. You only register. But it is highly advisable to pay premium so that you get served when referred.”
- Read the gazetted benefits package
The governor said the County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet will pin the official SHA benefits package on notice boards in all facilities. He urged residents to check it so they know “where you can be served and at how much.”
The governor added that SHA is designed to “save your family a fortune when a loved one falls sick” and encouraged everyone to register and pay.
Elgeyo Marakwet County currently ranks 3rd nationally in SHA registration.
SHA replaced NHIF and operates on a tiered system where lower-level facilities handle basic care, with referrals moving up to county and national hospitals for specialized treatment.
